Rafael Nadal lifted the champion’s trophy at the US Open weekend, winning the Robinson Classic charity event at the Vall d’Or Golf Club in Mallorca. Nadal didn’t feature in the 2024 US Open as he didn’t feel a hundred percent following the Paris Olympics.
Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, is also interested in golf. Once in an interview, he talked about his love for golf and how the game taking the players to beautiful locations excites him.
“I love the game of golf in general, no? Golf is great, because you are always in beautiful places when you are playing,” he had said (via Tennis.com).
Earlier in 2024, the two-time Olympic gold medalist took the champion’s trophy at the Balearic Mid-Amateur Golf Championship, winning by a comfortable seven strokes. He was then on a brief tennis break due to an injury, in preparation for the 2024 Indian Wells.
The 38-year-old took another win on the golf course when the 2024 US Open was underway in Flushing Meadows. He competed at an amateur golf tournament at the Vall d’Or Golf Club in Mallorca and won the title in the scratch category. The prize money will reportedly be added to the benefit of the Rafa Nadal Foundation.
He struck out his entry at the 2024 US Open due to persisting health issues but confirmed his participation in the 2024 Laver Cup, scheduled for September 20-22, 2024.
“I will miss those electric and special night sessions in NYC at Ashe, but I don’t think I would be able to give my 100% this time…My next event will be the Laver Cup in Berlin,” read his Instagram caption.
Casper Ruud once said Nadal is as good and competitive a golfer as a tennis player
Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud once shared that playing against Nadal in golf is equally tough.
“He is very, very competitive. More competitive than in a tennis court, even. He is really good, we haven’t played in some years, actually, but I think maybe we have to get a new round soon…” Ruud told Clay Tennis in 2023.
Nadal competed in men’s doubles with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo was defeated by USA’s Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram 6-2, 6-4 in the quarterfinals, having partnered in the doubles for the first time.
Having previously hinted at hanging his racket by the end of 2024, Nadal, 38, hasn’t announced retirement from tennis yet.
