Rafael Nadal has jokingly admitted that his growing passion for golf since retiring from tennis has caused his wife to “suffer.”
The tennis legend, who won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, ended his 23-year professional career in November 2024. Since retirement, Nadal has been filling his time in various ways, but golf has become his main focus.
Although he was already a keen golfer during his tennis career, Nadal has significantly increased the amount of time he spends playing and watching the sport. He insists that he plays purely for enjoyment, but admits that his dedication to following golf closely has tested the patience of his wife, Maria Francisca Perello.
Speaking during a charity tournament in Madrid earlier this month, Nadal said that he now follows golf every week and regularly watches tournaments on television. He highlighted his enjoyment of watching top players, including Jon Rahm, whose performances he closely follows.
Nadal also recently launched a charity golf circuit called Spin and Swing in Mallorca, with proceeds going to the Rafael Nadal Foundation. He explained that the project reflects his deep passion for the sport.
The former world number one revealed that he has received wildcard invitations in the past to play in professional golf events but declined them because tennis was his priority at the time. He said he would only consider competing professionally if he felt capable of playing at a respectable level.
Since then, Nadal has taken part in several amateur golf competitions and won the Balearic Mid-Amateur Championship in February 2024, finishing seven strokes ahead of the field.
He has also played golf with long-time rival Roger Federer in Mallorca and did not rule out the possibility of a future reunion on the golf course involving other former tennis stars, including Andy Murray.
While Nadal continues to enjoy life after tennis, his increasing obsession with golf suggests that his wife’s “suffering” may not end anytime soon.