Rafael Nadal lifted a trophy again on Saturday, nearly two years after his retirement, as the 22-time Grand Slam champion returned to the court for a special celebration at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Nadal captained Team Rafa to a 4-3 victory over Team Murray, with more than 2,000 spectators watching the former world No. 1 compete again in Manacor.
The occasion marked the 10th anniversary of Nadal's academy and brought several of his former rivals back together. Andy Murray led the opposing team, while Carlos Moya, David Ferrer and Richard Gasquet joined Nadal. Marat Safin, Dominic Thiem and Fabio Fognini completed Murray's side for an afternoon of nostalgia and competition.
Nadal had not played since retiring from professional tennis in November 2024 and had spent a long period away from the racket. This time, however, he returned in an exhibition format that allowed the former stars to rotate through different doubles pairings without the pressure of a traditional tournament.
The result still mattered, with Nadal's team eventually coming through in a seven-match contest. More importantly, the event gave Nadal the chance to celebrate a decade of his academy alongside players who shared the biggest stages of his career, while fans got to see him back in tennis kit and lifting a trophy once again.
Nadal returns alongside a generation of former rivals
The Rafa Nadal Academy Slam was played entirely as a doubles exhibition, with players rotating through different pairings throughout the afternoon. Rather than preparing for a traditional singles tournament, the format allowed the former champions to share the court with different teammates and opponents while keeping the atmosphere relaxed.
“Doubles is more dynamic and more fun. This way, nobody had to prepare in any special way. It’s a format everyone can play without any specific preparation,” Nadal explained.
The seven matches produced a close contest between the two teams, with neither side able to establish a decisive advantage until the final stages.
| Match | Team Nadal | Team Murray | Score |
| 1 | Moya/Gasquet | Safin/Fognini | 10-9 |
| 2 | Nadal/Ferrer | Murray/Thiem | 9-10 |
| 3 | Gasquet/Ferrer | Fognini/Thiem | 8-10 |
| 4 | Nadal/Gasquet | Murray/Safin | 10-0 |
| 5 | Moya/Ferrer | Thiem/Safin | 10-8 |
| 6 | Nadal/Moya | Murray/Fognini | 7-10 |
| 7 | Nadal/Moya | Murray/Fognini | 7-5 |
Nadal's team led 3–2 heading into the final two matches, allowing the Spaniard to clinch the decisive victory. He and Moyá lost their first match against Murray and Fognini 10–7, but the same four players returned to the court for the deciding duel, in which Nadal and Moyá prevailed 7–5 to secure the overall win.
A decade of the Rafa Nadal Academy
The exhibition was also a celebration of what Nadal has built since opening his academy in Manacor 10 years ago. The complex has become a major part of his life after professional tennis, combining high-performance training with player development and giving young players the opportunity to train at a centre built around the principles of Nadal's career.
“To have come this far and built this place from scratch is a source of great satisfaction for us," Nadal said during the ceremony. "An enormous amount of work from so many people has gone into it."
Murray, Nadal's long-time rival, was among those to reflect on what the academy has become and the memories attached to their careers.
“Thank you all for the atmosphere today, and thank you, Rafa, for inviting me. You have an incredible place here, all the children are incredibly fortunate to train somewhere like this," the 3-time Grand Slam champion said. "It’s been fantastic to come back, visit the museum, remember moments from your career and everything you’ve achieved,” Murray said during the awards ceremony.
Nadal responded with a joke about potentially replacing tennis with golf for a future edition. “Thank you for those words, Andy. Perhaps next time we can hold a golf event, so you’ll have a chance," Nadal joked. " I know you’re practising a lot, quite a bit more than I am, so perhaps the next Nadal Academy Slam can be golf.
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“Thank you very much, Fabio, Marat, Andy, David, Carlos and Richard. It’s been very special to share this moment with all of you. Thank you for being part of it and for joining me today.”
For a few hours, Nadal and a generation of former rivals were back on court together. The difference this time was that there was no ranking, Grand Slam or professional title at stake. Instead, Nadal ended the day holding another trophy, with the celebration providing a fitting way to mark 10 years of the academy that has become one of the central parts of his legacy.
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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