LIFE AFTER TENNIS: HOW RAFAEL NADAL REPLACED GRAND SLAMS WITH A QUEST FOR PARS.
Rafael Nadal is obsessed with golf: Analyse his new "Spin and Swing" circuit, his wife's reaction, and his wins on the green.
Rafael Nadal admits, half-joking, half-serious, that his love for golf drives his wife a little crazy. After racking up 22 Grand Slam singles titles (second-most in the Open Era) and wrapping up his 23-year tennis career in November 2024, Nadal needed something to fill the gap. Golf quickly took over.
He’s always loved the game, even back in his tennis days, but now that he’s off the tour, he’s spending more and more time on the course. These days, if he’s not playing, he’s glued to the TV, following tournaments. His wife, Maria Francisca Perello, apparently isn’t thrilled about this new obsession.
At a charity tournament in Madrid earlier this month, Nadal laughed about it: “I follow golf every week, and my wife suffers because of it. I watched Jon Rahm in Riyadh this week; he finished strong and almost won. I just really enjoy it.”
He’s not just watching, either. Last week in Mallorca, Nadal launched his own charity golf circuit, Spin and Swing. He mentioned he’s turned down wildcard offers to play in pro events before, since tennis always came first. All the money from his new event goes to his own foundation. For Nadal, this project just comes from a genuine love for the sport.
“I’ve had invites a few times,” he said, “but it’s never worked out. Maybe one day, but only if I feel like I won’t embarrass myself out there. I’d want to at least be able to compete, even if it’s just with myself.”
He’s already tested himself in smaller tournaments and not just for fun. He actually won the Balearic Mid-Amateur Championship by seven shots in February 2024, beating out 73 other players. He won’t brag about his game, but he’s clearly got talent.
Last July, he even got in a few rounds with Roger Federer at Pula Golf Resort in Mallorca. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll see a full Big Four showdown on the fairways. Andy Murray plays too, after all.
Talking to The Telegraph last year, Nadal teased, "Yeah, it could happen, but they need to practice! On the tennis cour,t we were pretty even, but this time, I’m way ahead.”
So, don’t be surprised if you see more of Nadal on the golf course from here on out. He’s traded one obsession for another, and honestly, it sounds like his wife will just have to put up with it a while longer.
HOW JANNIK SINNER IS USING THE MADRID OPEN TO SOLIDIFY HIS WORLD NO. 1 STATUS
Carlos Alcaraz faces a race to be fit for Roland Garros. Discover Sinner’s path to a fifth Masters title at the Madrid Open tournament.
Jannik Sinner is hopeful that Carlos Alcaraz's time away from the tour won’t drag on for too long.
Alcaraz is racing against the clock to be ready for the French Open, where the two had a thrilling five-set final last year after injuring his wrist at the Barcelona Open last week.
This injury has kept him out of the Madrid Open again this year, the biggest tournament in his home country, marking the second consecutive absence. Still, he showed up at the Caja Magica on Tuesday to sign autographs.
Sinner ran into Alcaraz at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday, where Alcaraz was named World Sportsman of the Year. He said, “We talked briefly. Didn’t really touch much on this; it’s a very personal matter. But it was clear he had a cast. Hopefully, that helps him get back out there quickly.”
He added, “It’s a real shame that he and Novak Djokovic aren’t here; two of the biggest stars in tennis are missing from this tournament.”
When asked about his chances of competing in Paris, Alcaraz mentioned, “I have a long career ahead. Pushing to play in Roland Garros right now could seriously set me back down the line.”
The Madrid Open itself is feeling the impact of these withdrawals hard. Along with Alcaraz, Djokovic continues to recover from a shoulder injury, and British players Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu have also pulled out.
Sinner commented, “It’s definitely tough for the tournament. Alcaraz missed it last year, too, so that makes two years in a row without him here, and with Novak also absent, it’s a hard pill to swallow.”
Though Sinner would likely welcome another showdown with Alcaraz after beating him in the Monte-Carlo Masters final earlier this month, the Spaniard’s absence boosts Sinner’s chances to extend his winning streak and widen his lead as world number one.
Interestingly, Sinner has no points to defend because he also missed Madrid last year amid a doping ban, and he’s gunning for a fifth straight Masters 1000 title.
After Monte Carlo, Sinner hinted he might skip Madrid too, but now he says, “I feel quite good. Mentally, I’m focused on Roland Garros. The goal is to be in the best shape possible for that.”
Winning Monte Carlo marked Sinner’s first clay court Masters title, but Madrid remains a tougher challenge. The altitude there creates a unique playing environment, and so far, he hasn’t advanced beyond the quarter-finals in this city.
He reflected, “Different clay courts help me grow as a player, and Madrid’s definitely one of the more demanding ones. I’ve never done very well here, but let’s see how it goes this time. I’m glad to be back.”
WHY NOVAK DJOKOVIC AND CARLOS ALCARAZ FACE A RACE AGAINST TIME FOR ROLAND GARROS
Tennis stars Alcaraz and Djokovic are racing to be fit for the French Open. We analyze their injuries and Jannik Sinner’s path to No. 1.
Novak Djokovic received support from his wife, Jelena, after hosting the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. The 38-year-old was announced earlier this month as one of the event’s hosts alongside Olympic skier Eileen Gu. Jelena showed her backing by posting the announcement on Instagram, adding a simple red heart emoji.
Djokovic had likely hoped to be in Madrid for the Open but has been sidelined with an injury over the past few months. On the red carpet, he gave a cautiously optimistic update: “I’m doing everything I can to recover and take part in Rome, but I can’t say for sure right now. It really depends on how fast my recovery from the injury goes.”
The news from the current world No. 4 is a bit worrying, as his participation in the Italian Open, the tournament starting in early May, is uncertain. A return at Roland Garros later that month seems more probable as he eyes a remarkable 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic hasn’t played since he lost in the quarter-finals at Indian Wells in mid-March, withdrawing due to a shoulder injury. That event was won by Jannik Sinner, who is one of the few major players participating in Madrid this month.
Carlos Alcaraz, however, has pulled out of the latest Masters 1000 event with a wrist injury. He was also at the Laureus Awards, where he was named Sportsman of the Year, and gave an update that didn’t inspire much confidence about his chances at the French Open.
When asked if he’ll be ready for the second Grand Slam of 2026, he replied, “We’ll see. The next scan is crucial, so we’re doing everything to make sure it goes well. I’m trying to be patient.” The 22-year-old has 3,000 ATP points to defend after winning both tournaments last year, so missing either Roland Garros or the Italian Open could be a big blow.
Losing these tournaments would come on the heels of recently dropping his world No. 1 ranking to Sinner. While that might clear the field for Sinner, the 24-year-old is hoping to see Alcaraz back on the court sooner rather than later.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Sinner said, “He’s going through a tough time right now, and I hope to see him back as soon as possible, maybe even in Rome. As a competitor, I want him there at Roland Garros too… Because if you want to win, you want to beat the best players.”
