Toni Nadal Reveals When Rafael Nadal Will Play Exhibition Matches with Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal has played 10 exhibition matches with Roger Federer; the last one was in Cape Town, South Africa in 2020.

Toni Nadal Reveals When Rafael Nadal Will Play Exhibition Matches with Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Toni Nadal (via X/Olly Tennis)

Rafael Nadal said after his tribute ceremony at the Roland Garros that he hasn’t swung a tennis racket in the last six months since the final match of his remarkable career. The Spaniard has enjoyed golfing and other sports. But his uncle, Toni Nadal has revealed that the 38-year-old will soon play an exhibition match against his long-time rival Roger Federer.

If there’s any who understands Nadal’s love for tennis, it’s his uncle. The 64-year-old started working with Nadal from a young age and coached him until 2017. During their time together, the Spaniard won 16 Grand Slam titles, with 10 of them coming at the Roland Garros, and became World No.1 while dominating the sport.

He guided Nadal for the most part of his rivalry with Federer. The pair’s iconic rivalry transcends tennis. They met 40 times on the court, with Nadal winning the head-to-head battle 24-16. They last played each other in 2019, at the Wimbledon Championship, where Federer claimed the win in their semi-final clash.

On day one of the 2025 French Open, Nadal was presented with a tribute ceremony for his illustrious achievement at the Grand Slam tournament. There he reunited with Federer on the Court Philippe-Chatrier, with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray also present to pay their respect.

During an interview with CLAY, Toni Nadal was asked if Rafa will play an exhibition match after he had just revealed that he hasn’t touched a racket in six months. The legendary coach revealed that Nadal will soon pick up the racket again as tennis has been vital in his life, adding that he’s convinced he will play exhibition matches in the coming months.

I know him well enough to know that he is excited about the idea of playing exhibition matches with Federer. Tennis has been vital in his life and that cannot be erased overnight. I have no knowledge about it, but I am convinced he will do it. Probably, in the coming months or in 2026, he will train hard again to be ready for these exhibitions.

In 2022, Federer retired before Nadal bowed out at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last November. The two tennis legends have played 10 exhibition matches together during their professional careers. The last was in Cape Town in 2020 when their match for Africa attracted a record crowd of 51,954.

Rafael Nadal says he is at peace with his accomplishments in tennis

Rafael Nadal won 92 career titles, 14 of them at the Roland Garros, where he holds a mind-blowing 112-4 win-loss record. The Spaniard won his first French Open at age 19 in 2005 and last at age 36 in 2022. However, he struggled with injuries before his retirement at the Davis Cup Finals last year. He revealed during his press conference at the French Open that he’s at peace with what he has accomplished in the sport.

Rafael Nadal Roland Garros 2025
Rafael Nadal (image via Corrine Dubreuil)

I am having fun. I don’t miss much tennis, because I feel that I (gave) all what I had. I arrive at the day of today with the peace that I can’t be on court. My body doesn’t allow me to be on court. So that’s all. I am (at) peace. I did all (that) I could to have the best career possible, and now I am enjoying this new phase of my life, that I am sure going to be less exciting than the tennis career. It is impossible to find in other things in life.

Nadal only reached the Bastad Open final last year before playing in his final Olympics. The Spaniard featured in only the French Open, while skipping the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open due to injuries. He was also in and out of the tour due to his body.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic Shares Heartwarming Reason Behind Not Bringing the Olympic Gold Medal Back to Roland Garros