Rafael Nadal may have hung up his tennis racket, but his sporting career isn’t over yet.

The 38-year-old Spanish legend called time on an illustrious tennis career earlier this month after Spain were ousted from the Davis Cup at the quarter-final stage by the Netherlands. While retirement often signals a time to kick back and relax for many, that’s never been Nadal’s way.

Just days later, he was back in action (quite literally), participating in an amateur golf tournament, the Hexagonal Circuit Q-Romia de Son Servera, in his home island of Mallorca, where golf has a thriving fan base. Nadal secured eighth place in the handicap category after posting a score of 76, four strokes over par.

The 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion, who has always had a keen interest in golf, managed to birdie two par 5s and a par 3, aiding his team, the Rafael Nadal Academy, to finish fourth overall.

Now that his tennis days are behind him, the 14-time French Open winner can concentrate on other interests. It’s believed he’s contemplating entering two forthcoming golf tournaments; LIV Golf Valderrama and the Acciona Open in Madrid.

At his peak, Nadal’s handicap has been around -1.0, which is superior to many professional players. Interestingly, despite being a left-handed tennis player, Nadal, who counts Tiger Woods among his sporting heroes, plays golf right-handed.

The former tennis powerhouse first competed in a proper tournament back in 2012. Since then, he’s had an on-off relationship with the sport but continues to play frequently in his leisure time.

In 2020, Nadal participated in the esteemed Balearic Golf Championship. Despite competing against seasoned professionals, he impressively finished sixth. He’s also a regular at the Sant Sebastia Amateur Golf Championship, which, like the Balearic Golf Championship, takes place in Mallorca.

Nadal’s success highlights his adaptability as an athlete. His performance in golf demonstrates his versatility and relentless competitive spirit, making him a fascinating figure beyond the tennis court.

The Nadal family is no stranger to sporting prowess. Rafael’s uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, was a footballer for Barcelona, Mallorca and Spain, while another uncle, Toni Nadal, served as his long-time tennis coach.