MADRID — Rafael Nadal will play his first exhibition tournament this Saturday at his academy since hanging up his racket nearly two years ago. And he is preparing thoroughly for it.
“I have no doubt he’s preparing as best as he can, obviously within the limitations of someone who hasn’t played in a while and who is well aware that physically he won’t be what he used to be,” Carlos Moyà, Nadal’s coach during his final years on tour, told CLAY.
Moyà will be one of the distinguished guests at the exhibition tournament Nadal is hosting this Saturday to mark the 10th anniversary of his academy in Manacor. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will lead Team Nadal, playing alongside Moyà, David Ferrer, and Richard Gasquet. On the other side of the net will be Team Murray, featuring Andy Murray, Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem, and Fabio Fognini. The format will feature four doubles matches played as super tie-breaks.
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Plagued by physical struggles, Nadal played his last official match in November 2024 during the Davis Cup Finals. Since then, he has barely been seen holding a racket. Away from the courts, the Spaniard has been enjoying his new life, family, business ventures, and traveling the world without carrying a racket bag around.
But because Nadal can’t stop being Nadal, as soon as the event date drew near, he got straight down to business. The man from Manacor doesn’t do half-measures. And even though it’s an exhibition, anyone who knows him even a little bit knows full well he hates losing even at cards.
“It’s true he’s doing this for fun, to see old friends, and I think that part will be great and he’s going to love it. Plus, we all know how serious he gets about these things. He likes to be fit, he likes to be sharp, and I’m sure he’ll show up in good shape and wanting to perform as best as possible,” added Moyà, former world No. 1 and Roland Garros champion, in his conversation with CLAY.
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In recent days, several videos have circulated of Nadal training at the academy. Featuring his trademark gestures, his grunts, and that forehand that once conquered the entire planet. And those who shared the court with him during these weeks of preparation testify that the champion’s essence remains intact.
Hongjin Qi, one of the academy’s rising talents who had the privilege of serving as a hitting partner for the 22-time Grand Slam champion, couldn’t hide his fascination after testing himself on the other side of the net. “Even though he hasn’t played in a long time, he hit the ball really well, with incredible quality, and fought for every single point. It was a very intense practice,” the player revealed in an interview shared by the academy. “I think the biggest difference is mental. Even without having trained for a while, he gave 100% and left everything on the court.”
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Qi’s words align perfectly with the impression Nadal gives in the videos that have surfaced over the past few days. It is not a matter of bringing back the player who lifted 14 Roland Garros trophies, nor checking on how his body holds up. The goal is much simpler: to step onto the court this Saturday feeling he did everything possible to prepare, and to enjoy the game without layoff-induced rust getting in the way.
