Two-time Olympic champion Nadal admitted that he has not picked up a tennis racket since retiring from the sport in November 2024.
Rafael Nadal is enjoying retirement life to the fullest.
The two-time Olympic champion brought an end to his professional tennis career in November 2024 with 92 career singles titles and 22 Grand Slams.
Nadal has since been away from the limelight but briefly stepped back into it on Tuesday (11 February) as he was honoured in a tribute event at the Spanish Olympic Committee headquarters in Madrid.
Olympians, athletes and invitees all wanted to pay their own homage to the 14-time Roland Garros champion, many desperate to meet their idol.
When the auditorium got their first glimpse of Nadal, everyone rose from their seats to clamber around him: they were in the presence of a legend.
Rafael Nadal: ‘I haven’t touched a racket since retiring’
It has been three months since the sport bode farewell to one of its greatest artists, who has taken a step back since his final match at the Davis Cup 2024 Final 8.
After years of collecting silverware and being plagued by injuries, the 38-year-old has shifted his focus to maintaining a purpose in life, having dedicated practically all of it to tennis.
“It is very important to have objectives in life so as not to get bored,” Nadal explained to the audience. “For me the big satisfaction above everything else is to be able to retire in peace.
“I like being active and doing things, now is the time to organise my next chapter. At the moment, I’ve adapted well. I’m playing a bit of football, but I haven’t picked up a racket since!”
Nadal received the ‘Corazón de España’ (Heart of Spain) award from Spanish NOC president Alejandro Blanco, as well as a canvas photo from his Rio 2016 gold medal triumph signed by members of the national sporting community.
“For me, success is trying to reach your maximum possible level,” Nadal reflected when asked for his definition of success. “The biggest success for me was the satisfaction to achieve what I did.”
