Rafael Nadal on Post-Retirement Hotels, Prize Money, and No Comeback

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner who retired in November 2024, has opened his fourth hotel under the Zel Hotels brand in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. He told CNBC that he will not return to professional tennis, closing the door on a comeback following Serena Williams' recent announcement. He is now focused on building his legacy off the court through his hotel chain, his tennis academy, and his charitable foundation.

Hotels and Business

Nadal's hospitality brand, Zel Hotels, founded in 2022 with Meliá Hotels International, now has hotels in Mallorca, Costa Brava, Punta Cana, and Fuerteventura. Nadal said that his years living out of hotels during his career made the business a natural fit. 'In the same way I built a legacy on the court, now is the moment to build a legacy outside of the court,' he told CNBC.

Prize Money Dispute

Nadal weighed in on the recent prize money protests at Wimbledon, where players sought 16% of tournament revenue. While he sees both sides, he noted that prize money has increased significantly over the past 15 years—above the average for any job—and urged players to consider the costs organizers incur. 'If you see how much the players were getting 15 years ago, and the amount of prize money that they are getting today, you see that the average increasing is way over the average of any job in this world,' he said. Source: CNBC

No Comeback and GOAT Debate

Nadal confirmed to CNBC Sport that his playing days are over. 'That chapter is closed,' he said. He also weighed in on the GOAT debate, reiterating that Novak Djokovic is the greatest based on numbers, but that young stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could surpass him if they stay healthy and win enough titles. 'It's all about numbers,' Nadal said. Source: CNBC Sport