Rafael Nadal returns to court for Rafa Nadal Academy 10th anniversary

Rafael Nadal returned to the tennis court in Manacor, Mallorca, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rafa Nadal Academy. The event, known as the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam, featured a series of doubles exhibition matches involving several tennis legends.

Nadal captained ‘Team Rafa’ alongside Carlos Moyá, David Ferrer, and Richard Gasquet. They faced ‘Team Murray,’ led by Andy Murray and featuring Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem, and Fabio Fognini. After a series of competitive super tie-breaks, Team Rafa secured a 4-3 victory, with Nadal and Moyá winning the deciding match 7-5 against Murray and Fognini.

This appearance marked Nadal’s first time playing in front of a crowd since his professional retirement in November 2024. Beyond the exhibition, the anniversary highlighted the academy’s growth into an international training center. Additionally, Nadal participated in the inauguration of the 2026-2027 academic year at the UAX Rafa Nadal University School in Madrid, where he delivered a masterclass to students on the importance of effort, loyalty, and building a professional legacy.