Rafael Nadal has admitted that his new post-tennis project was an unexpected one.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion will be the subject of a new Netflix documentary series chronicling his career and attempts to return in 2024 before retiring.
Announcing his as-yet-untitled docuseries, Nadal said he “never thought” he’d do anything like it before being convinced.
month after Nadal retired, Netflix took to social media to announce a new documentary series focusing on his life and career. “Every ending has a beginning,” the video teaser read.
The streaming service has promised “unprecedented access with Nadal throughout his comeback to competitive play in the 2024 season after sitting out much of 2023 due to injury.”
They will also show “never-before-seen material from Nadal’s personal archive”. It’s a big move for the Spaniard, who previously chose not to get involved in Netflix’s tennis series Break Point, which lasted for two seasons.
The former world No. 1 has now confessed that he never expected to give so much access into his personal life.
I never thought I’d do something like this, but I got a call from David Ellison and with his words together with an amazing project they put in front of my eyes it really convinced me this was the right thing to do,” Nadal said.
“Everyone will be able to see how my life has been during my tennis career and particularly in this very last year I had. It will also show how my life and my tennis career developed through the years.
“I am sure the final product, the docuseries, will be amazing and that it will be seen around the world.”
The Spaniard also thanked his family and rivals for getting involved, admitting it was difficult at times.
He continued: “To my family and my team for allowing being filmed this past year, I know it was not easy for all of us.
To my colleagues and peers who have given time to put themselves in front of a camera for some time. And thanks to the tournaments around the world that facilitated the work, it wasn’t easy.”
Nadal’s 2024 season was an unusual one. He returned in January from a year-long injury layoff but immediately hurt his hip again and was sidelined until spring.
The 38-year-old played a handful of clay tournaments and, in October, announced that he would retire at the Davis Cup Finals. His career came to an end when Spain lost in the quarter-final last month.
