Rafael Nadal has no plans to follow Serena Williams out of retirement — despite his delight at seeing ‘one of the best athletes of all time’ back on court.
Nadal called time on his glittering career in November 2024 with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name.
But, as revealed in his recent Netflix documentary Rafa, the Spaniard spent most of his professional career battling through the agony of a rare bone condition in his left foot called Muller-Weiss.
Understandable, then, that the Mallorca native is content with his new, more leisurely lifestyle of playing golf in the Balearics and managing his tennis academy.
Williams, meanwhile, returned to action after four years away at Queen’s this week, sending tennis fans into a frenzy and fuelling speculation of a Wimbledon comeback.
So, Rafa, is there a small part of you tempted to do the same?
‘No — not at all!’ he revealed to Daily Mail Sport. ‘I’m happy for Serena, but every individual is different. Everyone needs to do what makes them happy.
‘I’m happy for her if she’s happy in what she’s doing, that’s the most important thing. And she has only come back to Queen’s because that’s what she really wants.
‘I have full respect for her, she is one of the best athletes of all time. But for me, I’m happy just watching her on court again. She has made her fans very happy.’
Nadal has no plans to follow Serena Williams out of retirement — despite his delight at seeing ‘one of the best athletes of all time’ back on court
Nadal was speaking to Daily Mail Sport at Pula Golf Resort in Mallorca ahead of the 2026 edition of ‘Battle of the Stars’, an annual celebrity golf tournament that raises money for ALS charities in Spain
A talented player with a handicap of 1.7, Nadal’s four-ball — also featuring his uncle, former Barcelona defender Miguel Angel — leads the event at the halfway stage
Nadal’s documentary, released a fortnight ago, exposed a vulnerable side to the tennis great. A sporting icon raging against the dying of the light, combating constant medical setbacks.
The series shows how he developed his famous on-court rituals as a comfort blanket, every scratch of his shorts helping to block out the immense pressure he was under. As he announces his retirement, he breaks down in tears.
Asked whether it was difficult to show his sensitive side to millions, Nadal admitted: ‘Yes, I refused to make a documentary for all my career, all those years.
‘Finally, I found the right people who somehow convinced me to make it. And if you do it, you have to do it the proper way.
‘I just tried to be as honest as possible. And I tried to reflect my real life.’
Nadal was speaking to Daily Mail Sport at Pula Golf Resort in Mallorca ahead of the 2026 edition of ‘Battle of the Stars’, an annual celebrity golf tournament that raises money for ALS charities in Spain.
A talented player with a handicap of 1.7, Nadal’s four-ball — also featuring his uncle, former Barcelona defender Miguel Angel — leads the event at the halfway stage.
For more information visit: https://thebattleofstars.com/en/
