Rafael Nadal may have retired from tennis, but he’s not done with sports just yet. The 38 year old Spanish icon recently ended his illustrious tennis career after Spain were knocked out of the Davis Cup quarter-finals by the Netherlands.
But for Nadal, retirement doesn’t mean slowing down. Just days after hanging up his racket, he was back in action, this time on the golf course.
He took part in an amateur golf tournament, the Hexagonal Circuit Q-Romia de Son Servera, on his home island of Mallorca, a hotspot for golf enthusiasts. Nadal finished eighth in the handicap category with a score of 76, four strokes over par.
MALAGA, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 19: Rafa Nadal’s farewell to professional tennis after being knocked out of the Quarter-Final of the Davis Cup Final at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena on November 19, 2024 in Malaga, Spain. (Photo by Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
At his best, Nadal’s handicap has been around -1.0, which is similar to that of some professional players.
The former tennis titan first took part in a formal tournament back in 2012. Since then, he’s had a sporadic relationship with the sport but continues to play regularly in his downtime.
Nadal is a big golf fanatic and is already playing off scratch (Image: getty)
In 2020, Nadal competed in the prestigious Balearic Golf Championship. Despite going up against seasoned professionals, he impressively secured a sixth-place finish.
He’s also a regular at the Sant Sebastia Amateur Golf Championship, which, like the Balearic Golf Championship, is held in Mallorca. Nadal’s success underscores his adaptability as an athlete.
His performance in golf showcases his versatility and unyielding competitive spirit, making him an intriguing figure beyond the tennis court. The Nadal family is no stranger to sporting excellence.
Nadal’s uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, was a footballer for Barcelona, Mallorca and Spain, while another uncle, Toni Nadal, acted as his long-time tennis coach.