Rafael Nadal will return to competitive action today as he participates in the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam Exhibition. This event is part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Mallorca, and takes place on Saturday, October 3rd.
Read More
Joining Nadal for the exhibition are fellow Spanish tennis stars David Ferrer and Carlos Moyà, along with French player Richard Gasquet. They will face Team Murray, which includes former world No. 1 Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Marat Safin, and Fabio Fognini in a doubles match.
The involvement of Ferrer and Moyà highlights the reunion of key figures from Spain's celebrated tennis history, especially from the era known as the Spanish Armada. This trio, including Nadal, played pivotal roles in achieving significant victories for Spain, particularly in Davis Cup competitions.
Ferrer, who was a teammate of Nadal for nearly twenty years, captains the Spanish Davis Cup team. He participated in the Davis Cup wins in 2008, 2009, and 2011, and will lead the squad during Nadal's final professional appearance at the 2024 Finals in Málaga.
Throughout his career, Ferrer peaked at World No. 3 in the ATP Rankings, securing 27 titles, including the 2012 Paris Masters 1000, while finishing as a runner-up at the 2013 Roland Garros and the 2007 ATP Finals.
Moyà, the first Spanish player to achieve World No. 1 status, won 20 titles and claimed the Roland Garros title in 1998. Both Moyà and Nadal were integral to Spain's 2004 Davis Cup victory, and their professional paths have intertwined since, with Moyà joining Nadal's coaching team in 2016 and helping oversee the academy's sporting initiatives.