Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer at Bernabeu? Laver Cup role? What next for Nadal after Davis Cup farewell?
By Ben Southby
Updated 20/11/2024 at 15:07 GMT
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Rafael Nadal will have plenty to sink his teeth into following his legendary tennis career, which came to an end on Monday after Spain's defeat to the Netherlands at the Davis Cup. Nadal spent more than 20 years competing at the top, but what now for the icon of the sport? From the Laver Cup captaincy to playing at the Bernabeu - we have taken a look at what could come next for Nadal.
Nadal bids tearful farewell as career ends with Davis Cup Finals defeat
Video credit: SNTV
Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell to tennis after Spain were stunned by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup on Monday.
Nadal lost the opening tie of the three-match round to Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4 6-4, which was the final tennis match of the 38-year-old's incredible career.
Spain's elimination closed a 23-year chapter for the five-time year-end world No. 1 on the professional tennis circuit, where he won 22 Grand Slam titles, including 14 French Open crowns.
As well as juggling multiple businesses and further improving his handicap on the golf course, what else could come next for the iconic Nadal now he has retired?
He has his fingers in plenty of pies, and supposedly has a packed schedule to be getting on with now his playing days are over.
We have taken a deeper dive into what his new life could look like.
Academy expansion?
The 'Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy' has been one of the star's standout projects outside of his playing career since he opened the first centre in his hometown of Manacor in Majorca eight years ago.
The Academy aims not only to train future champions, but also instill the values Nadal has championed throughout his career in the next generation of talent.
It has grown to different regions around the world and Nadal, now that he has more time, may have bigger plans for his eponymous venture.
Current world No. 8 Casper Ruud, who has a career-high No. 2 ranking, is the most successful alumnus to come out of Nadal's academy so far.
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Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal
Image credit: Getty Images
Ruud, 25, has reached three Grand Slam finals - the first of which he lost to Nadal at the French Open in 2022 - and has won 12 titles.
Nadal and Ruud also teamed up in doubles at the Nordea Open in Bastad, Sweden earlier this year in preparation for Nadal's doubles campaign at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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Laver Cup CAPTAINCY?
Nadal's playing days may be over, but that does not mean we may not see him feature at upcoming tournaments in a more authoritative capacity.
Tony Godsick, the owner of the Laver Cup, has plans to bring in Nadal and fellow tennis great Roger Federer to take turns captaining Team Europe at future tournaments.
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Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal
Image credit: Getty Images
Former world No. 1 Bjorn Borg has been the Europe captain for all seven editions of the event since its inception in 2017 and led Europe to five victories.
Nadal has played at the Laver Cup three times in his career, including the inaugural event in 2017, while he also played at the tournament in 2019 and 2022, the latter which saw Federer's retirement from the sport.
Nadal has played seven matches at the event and has been on the winning team twice.
Record-breaking Bernabeu exhibition?
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Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
As well as possibly crossing paths with Federer at the Laver Cup, there could be an appetite to see the two tennis icons lock horns at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
A match between the two at the home of Nadal's beloved Real Madrid has reportedly been on the table for some time, but Godsick also revealed that Federer would consider the event should there be a chance of breaking record numbers for spectators.
Nadal and Federer's pull already holds the record, which the pair set in South Africa at the Cape Town Stadium in 2020 in aid of the Roger Federer Foundation.
Nearly 52,000 spectators piled into the arena to watch the two legendary players go toe-to-toe once more, as they had done so many times at the highest level throughout their careers.
There could also be an opportunity for Nadal to join La Liga side Madrid in the future, with plenty of Los Blancos fans hoping to see him involved.
Asked last year if he would be interested in the president role at the club one day, Nadal said: "Would I like to be [president]? I think so.
"There are lots of twists and turns in life. You have to know if you're qualified to do this kind of thing.
"I'm quite realistic. I know my limitations. I don't know if I'd be capable or not. Time will tell."
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