BACK IN ACTION: Nadal to play in exhibition matches

Retired Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal will return to the court in front of a crowd for the first time since retirement in October to celebrate his academy's 10th anniversary.

The Rafael Nadal Academy confirmed on Wednesday that the 40-year-old, who won 22 Grand Slams in a glittering career before retiring in November 2024, will participate in some exhibition matches.

Nadal will compete at his academy in his home town, Manacor in Mallorca, "in a series of exhibition matches together with big names from the sport," said the academy in a statement.

The other players will be announced in the coming days, and will be "some of his rivals and friends who have accompanied him throughout his career".

A clay court expert, Nadal won Roland Garros 14 times in a remarkable career which spanned more than 20 years.