On November 19, 2024, the final chapter was written in what many consider the most successful story in Spanish sporting history. Though the bitter experience at the Malaga Davis Cup wasn't the fairy-tale ending fans hoped for, it hardly diminished the golden legacy Rafael Nadal crafted with his racquet over two decades.
In the 365 days since stepping away from professional tennis, the former world number one hasn't reportedly picked up a tennis racquet, though he's been spotted wielding padel racquets and, more frequently, his golf clubs. Nadal's calendar has been filled with numerous social engagements, from receiving honorary doctorates at Alfonso X el Sabio University and the University of Salamanca (not without some controversy), to accepting the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing his status as a sporting icon.
Between these appointments, Nadal has received countless accolades celebrating not just his athletic prowess but also the values he embodied throughout his career—qualities seemingly adopted by his successors Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Among these tributes, the most moving and meticulously organised was undoubtedly the ceremony at Roland Garros on May 25, honouring the tournament's greatest ever champion. The newly appointed Marquis of Llevant has also found time for business-cum-leisure trips, recently travelling with his family to South Korea and Japan, as well as visiting some of his academies established worldwide.
Celebrity encounters and royal connections
The Spaniard has been spotted with celebrities including actor Will Smith and singer Marc Anthony while watching his Formula 1 sea racing team compete. He's met with political figures such as Argentine President Javier Milei and made his debut at the royal reception in Marivent, though his closest royal relationship has reportedly been with the king emeritus.
Family growth marks new chapter
Undoubtedly, the most significant moment in this first year of Nadal's post-tennis life has been the birth of his second son, Miquel, who joins his firstborn Rafael, born in October 2022. This family expansion represents a new chapter for the sporting legend who dominated tennis courts for nearly two decades before stepping away from professional competition.