Rafael Nadal confirmed to play for the first time since retirement at exhibition event

Rafael Nadal will make his return to a tennis court by taking part in an exhibition next month.

Nadal retired from tennis after the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, at which the legendary sportsman represented Spain on home soil.

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The 40-year-old legend claimed 92 ATP titles – including 22 at Grand Slams – during his glittering playing career.

And now Nadal will play in front of a live audience for the first time since retiring as he celebrates a significant milestone of the Rafa Nadal Academy.

Rafael Nadal confirmed to play at academy exhibition event

Joined by a handful of friends and former rivals, Nadal will return to the court to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Rafa Nadal Academy.

The full lineup for the exhibition has yet to be confirmed, but it will take place on October 3 at Manacor, Mallorca.

Starting out there in 2016, the Rafa Nadal Academy now also has centres in Costa Mujeres, Greece, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Marbella, Egypt, and Punta Cana.

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Among its many graduates are ATP ace Casper Ruud and WTA superstar Alexandra Eala, both of whom are currently top 20 players.

READ MORE: Rafael Nadal insists Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are both 'doing very well' as they come back from injury

Extraordinary Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic record ends

Despite Nadal competing in arguably the most difficult era of men's tennis, he was still able to enjoy a stunning career.

Alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, he played a key role in the dominance of the Big Three, which dominated the sport for some time.

And the new ATP rankings perfectly epitomize their extraordinary efforts, with none of the trio ranked in the top 10 for the first time since October 2002.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Grand Slam titles

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With Nadal and Federer retired, the burden fell on Djokovic, but he has just slipped out of the top 10 after losing his opening match at the US Open.

A phenomenal 1,227 ATP rankings releases later, the record is over after Djokovic dropped seven places to 12th.

But the Serbian, the Spaniard and the Swiss legend can be extremely proud of that stunning 24-year record, which won't be beaten any time soon.

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