Rafael Nadal in 2026: Marquess of Mallorca, Federer Exhibition Teased, Padel Tour Hits the US, and NYC Documentary Series
Rafael Nadal is 16 months into retirement — and busier than most active athletes. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been elevated to Spanish nobility by King Felipe VI, is filming a documentary series in New York City, has launched a US Padel Tour, and has given tennis fans the biggest tease of 2026 by strongly hinting that a Fedal exhibition match with Roger Federer is in the works. Here is everything Rafael Nadal is up to in March 2026.
Rafael Nadal Becomes a Marquess: King Felipe VI Awards Royal Title
His Majesty King Felipe VI recently elevated Nadal to the rank of Marquess of Llevant de Mallorca — a title that comes with no castle, moat, or free entry to Palma Cathedral, but with plenty of pomp. Nadal was one of six Spaniards honoured as part of celebrations for King Felipe VI's first decade on the throne.
The hereditary title means the Nadal family name will carry the Marquessate of Llevant de Mallorca for generations — a permanent marker of what the King of Clay meant not just to Spanish sport but to Spanish national identity across two decades of Grand Slam dominance.
Rafael Nadal in New York City: Filming "Difference Makers" Documentary
Nadal is currently in New York City being filmed for a series called Difference Makers — a portrait documentary series that features the former tennis star and his wife, Maria Francisca Perello. It highlights the Spaniard's life outside the tennis court, focusing on the work he has done with the Rafael Nadal Foundation and the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The main theme of this series is to delve into the lives of famous personalities who have brought positive changes to their surroundings through their success.
Despite having 92 singles titles and two Olympic gold medals, Nadal said in a column for The Players' Tribune in 2024 that he doesn't want his legacy to be associated with his achievements on the court alone. The Difference Makers series is his most direct attempt to shape that broader legacy on his own terms.
Federer vs Nadal Exhibition: "At Some Point Something Will Come Out"
The most tantalizing development in Nadal's post-retirement life is the growing likelihood of a Fedal exhibition reunion. Nadal said he'll need some time to prepare but suggested a Fedal exhibition "will come out" at some point. "You never know. I have a very good relationship with Roger, we talk regularly," Nadal said. "I think that at some point something will come out. He's been out longer and I, in a year, have literally played 45 minutes one day and 45 minutes another, to be honest. To get back on a court and not be a horror, I would need a little time."
A potential reunion venue has emerged: Newport, Rhode Island's historic lawn court at the International Tennis Hall of Fame ahead of Roger Federer's 2026 induction into the Hall of Fame. A Federer-Nadal match on grass at the Hall of Fame — the most romantic possible setting — would be one of the most watched sporting events of the year.
Rafa Nadal Academy Launches Four-Stop US Padel Tour in 2026
The Rafa Nadal Academy is bringing its Padel Tour to the United States, launching four US events in 2026 in partnership with Playtomic. The 2026 US calendar features four tournament stops: March 13-15 in Miami at Padel X, followed by April 24-26 in Austin at Padel 39. The tour then returns to Miami May 8-10 at Ultra Padel Miami before concluding at Reserve New York in Manhattan.
Nadal said: "After the great reception we've had in Spain and the start of the circuit in Italy, taking the leap to the United States is a very important step for us. Padel is growing spectacularly in this market and doing this with a strategic partner like Playtomic allows us to continue bringing our methodology, our values, and our approach to competition to new players and new communities."
Rafael Nadal Returns to Melbourne — and Goes Back to Skiing After 26 Years
For the first time since he retired from tennis, Rafael Nadal returned to Melbourne ahead of the 2026 Australian Open men's singles final. Tournament director Craig Tiley shared: "Great to see Rafael Nadal back at the Australian Open for the first time since his retirement to mark Kia's 25th anniversary as a long-standing AO major partner."
Nadal has also revealed he returned to skiing for the first time in 26 years, sharing a moment completely unrelated to his legendary tennis career. The Spanish icon posted an image of himself in full skiing gear, smiling against a mountain backdrop. Father of two boys — three-year-old Rafa Jr. and six-month-old Miguel — the Marquess of Llevant de Mallorca appears to be thoroughly, happily enjoying life after tennis.
