“I like being active and doing things; now is the time to organize my next chapter.” These words of Rafael Nadal don’t give the impression that he is missing tennis too much post-retirement. The 22-time Grand Slam champion said goodbye to tennis at the Davis Cup Finals last year, and by his own admission, he has not picked up the racket ever since. But is that entirely true? Well, the Spanish maestro might not have picked up the tennis racket, but he is trying his hand at padel.
In 2021, when asked about padel’s growing prominence, Nadal wasn’t reluctant to admit it at all. During an interview with Padel Magazine, the Spaniard said, “I like sport in general. I play golf. I think I’ll grab a padel racket, why not? I am sure that in the future I will have more time to enjoy other sports. Padel is growing, and I think it will be fun because it’s easier to play.”
True to his word, on March 4, Nadal was seen at his Academy engaging in a thrilling game of padel. And, watching his swift movements and techniques, it seems he is capable of dominating this racket sport, too.
Nadal’s interest in padel is evident by the arrangements at Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. The academy includes 12 padel courts alongside tennis courts, promoting the sport among young athletes and enthusiasts. Even before his retirement, Rafa was once spotted playing padel at his academy in 2024.
