Nadal says he has played tennis only four times since retiring

“Since I retired, I had only played tennis four times,” Nadal said in an interview ahead of the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam. The former Spanish player is returning to the courts in Manacor for the event he is organizing to celebrate 10 years of his academy. Since it was announced, the occasion has stirred the tennis world.

A few hours before the event began, Nadal spoke to the media alongside the other participants: Murray, Moyá, Ferrer, Gasquet, Thiem, Fognini and Safin. He opened by thanking the players who had come to take part in the tournament, saying the day meant a great deal to the academy and to him personally. “We know rain could make it a difficult day, but we’ll try to make it an unforgettable one,” he said.

Nadal was careful to distinguish this return to tennis from a return to competition. “0% of the competitive Rafa Nadal is coming out today. I’m at a different stage,” he explained, adding that he had enjoyed hitting the ball again over the past two weeks. He described the occasion as a celebration for the academy and said he had “no competitive ambition.”

Asked about the importance of results during his career, he also played down the significance of rankings: he was no happier when he was ranked first or second. He wanted to be the best, he said, but above all tried to give his best and improve, without making his final ranking the main priority.

The former player spoke of having less daily pain since retiring. He also said he had needed a prosthesis in his hand. Looking ahead, he did not rule out playing an exhibition, while admitting that the preparation process felt like a chore. As for becoming a coach, he left the possibility open but said his two young children and other commitments would prevent him from taking on the role.

The academy’s future is also still taking shape, he said: it will need to adapt to changing times and seek further expansion. Nadal added that preparing for this match had not been as enjoyable as it might appear. Federer, who visited the academy during the summer, would have been a welcome presence but was unable to attend. Nadal praised the support Federer has always shown the academy.