{"id":30891,"date":"2025-03-06T03:20:17","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T03:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=30891"},"modified":"2025-03-06T03:20:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T03:20:17","slug":"rafael-nadals-sister-maribel-sends-open-challenge-to-him-after-spaniard-shows-off-padel-skills-in-post-retirement-relaxation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=30891","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal’s sister Maribel sends open challenge to him after Spaniard shows off padel skills in post-retirement relaxation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Maribel wants to take on her brother Rafael Nadal in a padel match | Image Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Rafael Nadal recently took to padel at his academy in Mallorca, the video of which subsequently went viral on social media. The 22-time Major winner’s sister has now reacted to pictures from his padel session. Being a racket-sport enthusiast, she sent an open challenge to the Spaniard to face off against her and women’s padel No. 3, Gemma Triay Pons.<\/p>\n

Nadal hung up his racket at last year’s Davis Cup Finals after a prolonged battle with injuries. Following his retirement, there was a slight concern about whether the 38-year-old would be seen physically active again anytime soon. However, fans can rest easy on that front as the former World No. 1 was spotted playing padel at the his Mallorca-based academy earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Rafael Nadal\u00a0showed impressive athleticism in\u00a0the video that was posted on social media\u00a0by one of his fans. The 22-time Major winner took to his Instagram account to post some stills from his padel outing later on Wednesday (March 5). Gemma Triay Pons, who is placed third in the International Padel Federation women’s rankings, soon caught wind of the post as she implored his younger sister, Maribel, to pair up with her against the Spaniard’s team.<\/p>\n

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