Rafael Nadal
Nadal relaxed during Madrid visit: ‘Life’s treating me well’
Spaniard spent time playing tennis in the Bernabeu on Thursday
April 23, 2026
Mutua Madrid Open
Jude Bellingham with Rafael Nadal on Thursday in Madrid.
By Sam Jacot
“I’m happy. Life’s treating me well at the moment. I can’t really ask for much more.”
That’s how Rafael Nadal summed up his time in Madrid this week, speaking following a fun hit at the Santiago Bernabeu, temporarily converted into a tennis practice venue for the Mutua Madrid Open.
“Being for a few days with my family and colleagues experiencing this moment, which I think is historical,” Nadal told the tournament. “I hope the tournament is a great success over the next two weeks.”
Nadal made his final appearance in Madrid in 2024, reaching the fourth round. The 39-year-old Spaniard is a record five-time champion at the ATP Masters 1000 event, having first lifted the trophy in 2005 when the tournament was played on hard courts.
Nadal, who compiled a 59-15 tournament record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, spent time with the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings Jannik Sinner and football stars Thibaut Courtois and Jude Bellingham in the Bernabeu, where the four participated in a fun hit.
