Rafael Nadal returns to court for academy anniversary and leads team to 4-3 exhibition win

Exhibition in Manacor

Rafael Nadal returned to the court before a live crowd in Manacor on 3 October 2026 to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Rafa Nadal Academy. The appearance was his first in front of spectators since his retirement from professional tennis at the Davis Cup in Malaga in November 2024. Nadal noted before the matches that he had barely picked up a racquet during his retirement, practicing only four times for thirty minutes each. The event brought together eight former tour players holding a combined 242 ATP singles titles, several Grand Slam trophies, and three former world number one rankings. Participating alongside Nadal were Andy Murray, Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem, Carlos Moyà, David Ferrer, Richard Gasquet, and Fabio Fognini. Nadal stated that he enjoys life away from the demanding tour schedule, while leaving open the possibility of working as a coach in the future.

Seven-match tiebreak format

The exhibition featured two squads, Team Nadal and Team Murray, competing across seven ten-point super tiebreak doubles matches. Team Nadal included Nadal, Moyà, Ferrer, and Gasquet, while Team Murray featured Murray, Thiem, Fognini, and Safin. The afternoon began with Moyà and Gasquet defeating Fognini and Safin 10-0, followed by Murray and Thiem edging Nadal and Ferrer 10-9. Thiem and Fognini then defeated Ferrer and Gasquet 10-8 before Nadal and Gasquet responded with a 10-0 sweep against Murray and Safin. After Moyà and Ferrer beat Thiem and Safin 10-8, Murray and Fognini won 10-7 against Nadal and Moyà to tie the overall fixture at three wins each. In the seventh deciding super tiebreak, Nadal and Moyà defeated Murray and Fognini 7-5 to secure a 4-3 victory for Team Nadal.

Academic address in Madrid

Earlier on 3 October 2026, Nadal opened the 2026–2027 academic year at the UAX Rafa Nadal University School in Madrid before 26,000 students. In his address to undergraduate students, he centered his presentation on the concept of legacy, defining it through the values of loyalty, effort, generosity, attitude, discipline, and opportunity. Nadal described the physical toll of his athletic career and the necessity of persistence in academic and professional development.

I have lived with pain, it is not pleasant, but it has compensated me.

He emphasized that a professional career must be supported by a human commitment that leaves positive guidance for others. The university school maintains curriculum partnerships with sports organizations, including LALIGA and Atletico de Madrid, covering degrees across health, business, and engineering.

Post-retirement ventures

Nadal also discussed the expansion of his business portfolio, led by the luxury hotel brand Zel Hotels in partnership with Melia Hotels International and chief executive Gabriel Escarrer. The hospitality project originated during an informal planning session at his tennis academy in Mallorca.

We had lunch at the academy a few years ago and started writing things down on a napkin: the things we like about hotels, the things we do not like as much, and what the ideal option for us would be.

Nadal stated that consumer spending patterns have changed over recent decades, with travelers prioritizing experiences and exploration over property accumulation. He explained that his upbringing in Mallorca, where tourism forms the foundation of the regional economy, shaped his commercial interest in hotel development.