“He has been a great supporter”: Rafael Nadal explains why Roger Federer was missing from his academy anniversary celebration
ATP
Rafael Nadal reunited with several of his greatest rivals on the tennis court to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his academy in Manacor, but one familiar name was missing from the occasion. Roger Federer did not join Nadal, Andy Murray, Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem and several other former stars for the anniversary exhibition, with the Spaniard later explaining why his longtime rival could not be there.
The celebration featured the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam, a doubles exhibition bringing together players who shared some of the most memorable years of Nadal's career. Nadal's team included Richard Gasquet, David Ferrer and Carlos Moya, while Murray led a side featuring Federer-era rivals Thiem, Safin and Fabio Fognini.
For Nadal, the event also represented his first appearance on court in front of the public since his retirement at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Almost two years later, he picked up a racket again for an exhibition that was designed as a celebration rather than a competitive return.
Federer, however, was the notable exception. The Swiss has maintained a close relationship with Nadal and has been connected to the academy since its opening, making his absence particularly noticeable as Nadal reunited with so many former rivals in Manacor.
Why Federer missed Nadal's celebration
Nadal was asked directly about Federer and whether he had invited the 20-time Grand Slam champion to take part. The Spaniard explained that Federer had already visited the academy during the summer, but his schedule prevented him from returning for the 10th anniversary event.
“Roger came during the summer, it was great. It's always a pleasure to have Roger here, as it is with any other player," Nadal said in an interview with L'Equipe. "But he has been a great supporter of the Academy from the beginning; he came to the opening, but this time it was impossible for him because of his schedule,” Nadal said.
Nadal also stressed that he was proud of the group that did make the trip to Manacor. Alongside Murray, Thiem, Safin, Fognini and Gasquet, the celebration included Ferrer and Moya, giving Nadal the chance to share the court with several players who had been important figures throughout his career.
“So we are very proud of those who have come; they are all great friends and champions,” Nadal said.
The reunion was also significant because of Nadal's own return to the court. The 40-year-old had barely played during the previous two years, admitting that he had only picked up a racket a handful of times before preparing for the exhibition.
Nadal opens the door to more exhibitions
Although the event was not a sign of a competitive comeback, Nadal enjoyed being back on court. He said there was no longer any competitive version of himself to recover, but he appreciated the opportunity to feel the racket in his hands again.
“I think there is zero percent of the competitive Rafa Nadal left, to be honest. I've turned the page. In a way, I enjoyed those two weeks getting myself back into shape. I had barely played in the last two years, maybe four times for 45 minutes each time,” Nadal said.
“But overall, it was great to have the racket in my hands again, to get that good feeling of hitting the balls again.”
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The experience has also left Nadal open to playing more exhibition matches. He does not want to put pressure on himself or make long-term plans, but he confirmed that returning to the court for similar events is something he wants to do.
“Yes, at some point I will play exhibition matches again; I want to do it. The whole preparation process makes you a little lazy, because when you play an exhibition, you have to prepare your body,” Nadal said. “I think it's a step that I also need to try, and I suppose I will, but with the desire to live in the moment, to go day by day without thinking too much about the future.”
For now, Nadal's competitive career remains behind him. But his academy anniversary gave him a chance to reunite with many of the players who shaped it, even if Federer — one of the most important figures in that era — could only be there in spirit.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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