The visual biography Rafa Nadal, published by the Parisian house Assouline, hits the market at a top tier of 3,000 euros for its most exclusive collectors’ edition. Released for retail sale on October 13 following an initial pre-order window, the large-format volume covers three decades of the tennis player’s life through 353 images across 336 pages. The project was created with the full collaboration of the Spanish athlete, drawing heavily from private archives belonging to Nadal, his family, and his inner circle.
Editions Ranging From 120 to 3,000 Euros
Assouline offers the publication across three distinct tiers. The baseline Classic edition retails at 120 euros, while an intermediate Ultimate version is priced at 1,200 euros. At the peak of the lineup, the 3,000-euro special edition weighs close to nine kilograms and comes packaged with white gloves for handling the pages, an exclusive canvas tote bag, and a custom slipcase designed to mimic the red clay of Roland Garros’s Philippe-Chatrier court, complete with the player’s signature.
Jon Wertheim Shapes the Narrative
Journalist and 60 Minutes correspondent Jon Wertheim authored the book’s text, having previously covered Nadal’s career, including the 2008 Wimbledon final in his book Strokes of Genius. Rather than restricting the text to an athletic highlight reel, Wertheim frames the subject around personal dimensions, a persona he summarizes as “the warrior next door.” Additional commentary and reflections throughout the volume come from contributions by King Felipe VI, rival and friend Roger Federer, Mery Perelló, and Toni Nadal.
From Manacor Roots to a 22-Grand-Slam Legacy
The visual narrative contrasts global athletic achievements—including 14 French Open titles among 22 total Grand Slam victories—with quiet scenes from Nadal’s hometown of Manacor. Images track his trajectory from a child picking up a racket on the island of Mallorca to international competition, locker room moments, and time spent relaxing on his yacht. Commentary from his inner circle shows a deliberate effort to document a private life centered on family, fatherhood with his two children, and maintaining roots in his local community.
Exhibition Match Marks Academic Milestone
The release coincides with a public appearance by Nadal on October 3 at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, where he participates in an exhibition event celebrating the facility’s tenth anniversary. The gathering brings together notable figures from his tennis career alongside musical performances, with broadcast coverage managed via Movistar Plus. The event bridges his competitive past with his current focus on developing young talent through his academy and raising his family.
Worth a look
