Two years after his retirement from professional tennis, Rafael Nadal says he has largely moved on from the sport that defined his life, revealing that he often forgets his past as a top-tier athlete. In a recent interview with The Athletic, the 22-time Grand Slam champion spoke about the physical toll of his career and his transition into life away from the court. The conversation coincides with the release of his new book, Rafa Nadal, produced with the French publisher Assouline, which chronicles his career through previously unseen photographs.
Living with pain throughout his career
Nadal, who officially retired in 2024, described a career defined by constant physical struggle. While his legacy includes 92 professional titles and 14 Roland Garros trophies—the last of which came in 2022 when he defeated Casper Ruud—he disclosed that he maintained his competitive level despite persistent health issues. “I have lived my whole tennis career in pain,” Nadal told The Athletic, as noted in reports by Puntodebreak and Los Andes. He characterized his body as “finished” by the end of his time on the circuit, noting that he endured severe limitations that made even walking difficult for month-long stretches. “I had a lot of difficulties walking for a month,” he added.
The decision to retire in 2024
Reflecting on the timing of his departure, Nadal stated he felt at peace with his decision because he had nothing left to give the sport. He noted that he spent his career aware that any season could be his last. “I didn’t say I was afraid, but I knew that possibility existed,” he explained. “I probably, thanks to all that, when I had an opportunity I gave everything.” Despite the intensity of his past, he admitted, “I retired only two years ago, but it’s already like another life that I was playing tennis.”
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Life in Mallorca after professional tennis
Though he has stepped away from the ATP tour, Nadal remains active in his post-retirement projects. He currently manages the Rafa Nadal Academy and his charitable foundation, while also spending time with his family. Marca reported that while his routine has changed, he remains anchored to his hometown of Mallorca. Nadal mentioned that he travels more now than he initially expected, though he clarified that this is a positive development. “I am working on my other projects and being a father to my children,” he said. He maintains that while his professional life was intense, his personal life has remained largely consistent: “I still have the same friends from when I was little and I have never moved away from the place where I was born, Mallorca.”
Reflections on fashion and the rivalry with Federer
During the interview, Nadal also discussed his evolving identity as a sports icon, including his early career fashion choices. Addressing his iconic pirate pants and sleeveless shirts, he admitted with a smile that he sometimes looks back at those outfits and considers them a “horror.” He contrasted his high-energy, colorful aesthetic with the more traditional style of Roger Federer. “He dressed in a somewhat more classic way,” Nadal said. “I was a little younger than him, and Roger had a more elegant playing style.”
What comes next for the former world number one
As Nadal continues to settle into his life after tennis, he has shifted his focus toward his academy and foundation projects. He indicated that while he does not miss the adrenaline of professional competition, he remains involved in the sport that brought him 22 Grand Slam titles and 209 weeks as the world number one. The former champion has not announced any further professional plans beyond his current commitments in Mallorca.
