NewsWPLG Local 10November 3, 2026Miami-Dade County
Rafael Nadal discusses fatherhood, Las Vegas exhibition, and tennis tour changes in AP interview
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Retired tennis champion Rafael Nadal discussed balancing family life with business ventures, his upcoming return to play in a Las Vegas exhibition match, and potential changes to professional tennis. He also expressed openness to a future exhibition with Roger Federer and advocated for a two-year rolling ranking system.
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Rafael Nadal shares insights into his post-retirement life, upcoming U.S. appearances, and proposed structural reforms for professional tennis that could impact player health and rankings.
Key Facts
- Rafael Nadal is scheduled to play in "The MGM Slam presented by Capital One" at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Feb. 28, marking his first U.S. appearance since retiring two years ago.
- Nadal stated he is open to a potential exhibition match with former rival Roger Federer, noting they are in weekly contact.
- Nadal called for professional tennis to adopt a two-year rolling ranking system similar to golf to give players more freedom and recovery time after injuries.
- Nadal criticized the expansion of Masters 1000 tournaments to two weeks, calling it a mistake.
- Nadal expressed that playing most professional tennis matches on hard courts is an aggressive surface for the body and joints that causes players to pay a physical price.
- Nadal underwent surgery a year ago to treat pain and regain mobility in his right hand, keeping him largely inactive for four months.
- The Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca employs up to 700 workers at a time and currently has six players in the top 100 of the rankings.
- Nadal ruled out becoming a full-time "super coach" on the tour in the immediate future because he wants to spend time with his two young sons.
Who's Mentioned
locationLas Vegas“Location of the upcoming exhibition match”OrganizationNetflix“Released the documentary "Rafa"”locationSpain“Country of Mallorca”PersonAlexander Zverev“Current crop of tennis stars”locationCalifornia“State where Indian Wells is located”PersonJannik Sinner“Current crop of tennis stars”OrganizationATP“Governing body of men's professional tennis”PersonCarlos Alcaraz“Faced Nadal in a previous Vegas exhibition and current tennis star”locationIndian Wells“California city hosting an ATP 1000 event”PersonJack Draper“Player coached by Andy Murray”PersonSerena Williams“Professional tennis player who returned to the game with her daughters”locationMallorca“Nadal's home island in Spain”locationU.S.“Country where Nadal will play for the first time since retiring”PersonCasper Ruud“Player from the Rafa Nadal Academy in the top 100”locationRome“Dateline of the AP dispatch”OrganizationRafa Nadal Academy“Nadal's tennis academy in Mallorca, Spain”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News agency that conducted the interview”PersonAndy Murray“Participated in an anniversary exhibition for Nadal's academy”PersonAlex Eala“Women's player from the Rafa Nadal Academy in the top 100”PersonNovak Djokovic“Active tennis player noted as not being in the retirement group chat”PersonRafael Nadal“Retired tennis player interviewed by the Associated Press”PersonRoger Federer“Former tennis rival discussed regarding a potential exhibition match”