“For me, it’s horrible”: Rafael Nadal makes surprising admission about his iconic tennis look

Friday, 16 October 2026 at 02:30

Rafael Nadal has offered a glimpse into the contrast between his intense competitive personality and his relaxed life away from tennis, while admitting that he now looks back on some of his most iconic outfits with a very different opinion.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion discussed both subjects in a recent interview with GQ, published alongside the release of a new photographic book documenting his career.

Nadal retired in November 2024 after persistent physical problems prevented him from competing consistently during his final seasons. He finished his career with 22 Grand Slam singles titles, 92 ATP singles titles and 209 weeks as world No. 1. His 14 French Open championships remain a record in men's singles, making Roland-Garros the defining tournament of his career.

The interview accompanies the release of Rafa Nadal, a 330-page retrospective published by Assouline, with text by award-winning journalist Jon Wertheim. The book follows Nadal's journey from his childhood in Mallorca to his greatest achievements, while documenting the physical struggles and personal relationships that shaped his time on the ATP Tour.

Nadal's early-career image also features prominently in the conversation. His sleeveless shirts, bandana, long hair and pirate pants made him instantly recognizable, particularly during his rivalry with Roger Federer.

Nadal explains the contrast between his two personalities

Nadal described the two sides of his personality in the interview, explaining how the intensity required to compete at the highest level coexisted with a more relaxed approach to life outside tennis.

“But in some ways, there are two Rafas. One is the competitive mood: very intense, having everything more or less organized, all the rituals, you know? That’s the truth," he said in an interview with GQ. "But at the same time, I am very family-oriented and very relaxed. Intense on one side, and taking life easy on the other. I am a guy who always avoids conflicts, too, and that’s the truth.”

Nadal received a heartfelt tribute at Roland Garros

Rafa Nadal at 2025 Roland Garros

His career was built around the discipline and physical commitment required to win 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 at Roland-Garros. Yet Nadal also emphasized the importance of the people who remained close to him throughout his career, with his team providing continuity through years of success and repeated injury setbacks.

“I’ve never tried to be somebody that I was not. But in some ways, there are two Rafas. One is the competitive mood: very intense, having everything more or less organized, all the rituals, you know?”

The interview also addressed the physical problems that followed Nadal from the early stages of his career. His foot became a serious concern when he was 19, and injuries eventually contributed to his retirement.

“And, as usual, I retired because of an injury, you know? So in some ways, it’s one of the things I am most proud of: that even with all of these body issues that I faced, I was able to hold the passion, the motivation and the love for what I was doing for so many years," the former world No. 1 added. "Facing a lot of problems with my body, but finding solutions to keep doing what I love—that needed to be the first part of the book.”

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Nadal admits his early tennis outfits were “horrible”

Nadal also reflected on the clothing that became one of the most distinctive features of his early career. His sleeveless shirts and pirate pants set him apart from other players, particularly Federer, whose on-court image was more traditional. In his conversation with GQ, Nadal offered an unusually blunt assessment of the outfits that helped define his public image.

“But, you know what? The beginning of my career, with the pirate pants and the sleeveless shirts—you see it today, and for me, it’s horrible. That’s the truth. But in those years, in some way, I created my identity. I was recognized for wearing these wild things, with the long hair, the bandana, you know? It was something different.”

Nadal explained that clothing decisions were made well in advance, with the team working around a year and a half ahead on outfits. Early in his career, however, some choices were made using images on a computer, which did not always accurately represent the finished materials or colors. “So I am prouder of the things we were wearing later in my career.”

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His preferences were not limited to a particular design. Nadal said he generally chose bright colors because of his connection with younger fans, although he particularly enjoyed wearing all-black outfits during night sessions at the US Open.

“But, you know what? I never usually liked to play in all black clothes. If you look, I always played with bright colors, energetic colors. I think this is because I always had a good connection with kids, and kids and young people normally like colors, you know? So I always played in bright colors on court.”

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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