“I love the game of golf in general,” said Rafael Nadal, whose passion for golf is well known, a post-tennis pursuit many anticipated. But Nadal, ever the master of the unexpected, has traded the fairway for…well, something else entirely. It’s a court, yes, and a racket is involved, but the sport itself? Let’s just say even Carlos Alcaraz is raising an eyebrow. What’s Rafa up to now?

The answer: padel. On March 4th, Nadal made an appearance at his new Rafa Nadal Academy in Marbella, Spain, which is set to open in July 2025, and displayed the same lightning-fast reflexes and court coverage that defined his tennis career, proving his competitive fire hasn’t dimmed.

He shared the moment on his X handle (formerly Twitter) with a lighthearted caption: “I had so much fun today! 😃 Who do you think won the match?” His post quickly sparked excitement around his fans, and yesterday, his fellow Spaniard Carlitos couldn’t resist jumping in with a cheeky reply, simply adding, “👀👀👀”. Nadal’s response?

In classic Nadal fashion, he responded with a GIF showing both himself and Alcaraz warming up in the tunnel before heading into one of the doubles matches they played together representing Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a subtle reminder of their shared competitive spirit. This move wasn’t entirely out of the blue, though.

In a 2021 conversation with Padel Magazine, Nadal’s interest in various sports was evident, as he expressed fondness for golf and hinted at padel, saying, “Padel is growing, and I think it will be fun because it’s easier to play.”

Nadal, a dominant force in professional tennis since his debut in 2004, has cemented his legacy with an astonishing ‘92 ATP singles titles’, 22 GS trophies, and 2 Olympic gold medals. Widely regarded as one of the greatest sporting pioneers of all time, the Spaniard continues to shape the sport through his involvement with the Rafa Nadal Academy. The academy houses 12 padel courts, encouraging young athletes and sports enthusiasts to take up the increasingly popular sport.

The new academy will be located at the prestigious Don Carlos Hotel, featuring seven clay courts, two padel courts with scenic ocean views, a shop for Babolat and Nike apparel (his long-time sponsors), and an exhibition showcasing his most coveted trophies.

Discussing the expansion of his academies, Nadal expressed his excitement, “I’m very happy that we’re officially announcing the birth of a new Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Marbella, as it also consolidates the project for the expansion of our methodology within Spain.”

Interesting fact: Padel, as a game, has also seen an extraordinary rise in popularity, particularly in Spain, where it now ranks as the country’s second most popular sport, trailing just behind soccer and even surpassing tennis as well. 

Rafael Nadal’s contributions to Spanish sports have left a deep impact. His efforts were recently recognized as he was awarded the ‘Corazón de España’ (Heart of Spain) by the Spanish NOC president Alejandro Blanco. Alongside this honor, Nadal was presented with a unique canvas depicting his victorious 2016 Rio Olympic gold medal moment, signed by the sporting community.

And it wasn’t just Carlos Alcaraz who took notice of Nadal’s return to court; another tennis legend was also visibly impressed by his padel skills.

Boris Becker praising Nadal’s fitness on social media

The legends of the sport have never shied away from praising Rafael Nadal, even after his retirement at the 2024 Davis Cup. Former No. 1 Rennae Stubbs, for instance, confidently predicted that “there is no doubt that in the next two or three years, he will be the captain of the Spain Davis Cup team.”

Meanwhile, former 6-time GS winner Boris Becker, after watching Nadal’s recent video of him playing padel, couldn’t resist sharing, “Rafa still looking fit!” This wasn’t one off from the German former tennis player.

Following Nadal’s retirement after the Davis Cup last year, Becker, who himself boasts an impressive 22-match winning streak at the very tournament, was quick to acknowledge the Spaniard’s staggering 29-2 Davis Cup record. In his IG story, he lauded Rafa, saying, “That’s one hell of a record in DC, and I thought mine was good.” 

The growth of Nadal’s academy and his increasing enthusiasm for padel showcase his dedication to sports beyond his renowned tennis career. But the question remains: will we ever see the Mallorca native grace the tennis court one last time?