Rafael Nadal

Zach Heinzerling, the Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated director behind Netflix's new four-part documentary series Rafa. The series follows Rafael Nadal across the final year of his career, from his 2024 return through his retirement, while reaching back across two decades to tell the fuller story of one of the most decorated and most physically punished athletes in the history of tennis. The series goes beyond the 22 Grand Slams and 14 French Open titles to reveal what it cost to win them: a rare, incurable foot condition called Müller-Weiss syndrome, diagnosed when Rafa was just nineteen; years of aggressive medical intervention that left him with perforated intestines; and a 2022 Roland Garros run played on a foot deadened by nerve-blocking injections. For the first time on camera, Rafa removes his sock and shows the foot itself — an image he had guarded from the public for twenty years. The series also explores the formative role of his uncle and longtime coach Toni Nadal, whose tough-love methods shaped Rafa from the age of three; the anxiety and ritual beneath the on-court persona; and the rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic that defined a generation, including the now-famous Laver Cup farewell where Rafa and Federer sat side by side and wept. Featuring testimony from Federer, Djokovic, John McEnroe, and the family, coaches, and inner circle who have stood beside Nadal his entire career, Rafa is less a highlight reel than a portrait of a champion in negotiation with his own body — and an answer, or an attempt at one, to the question of why he kept playing long after that body told him to stop. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com The Story Behind My Podcast: https://katecasey.substack.com/p/i-was-the-narrator-of-my-own-family Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itskatecasey?lang=en Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecas

A career relentlessly put together by Rafael Nadal has been painstakingly chronicled and analysed by author Christopher Clarey in his new book 'The Warrior - Rafael Nadal and His Kingdom of Clay'. In conversation with David Law, Chris describes the teenage Nadal he knew, his unprecedented, absurd dominance at Roland Garros, and the backlash to his success that followed in France. They talk about the process of putting the book together, and what might follow next, for Nadal, for tennis, and possibly a Novak Djokovic follow-up for the author. The Warrior is available this week, wherever you get your books. Buy tickets for Tennis Podcast Live in London on Thursday 26th June at Shoreditch Town Hall. Become a Friend of the Tennis Podcast to receive exclusive access to bonus podcasts, including Tennis Re-Lived episodes, Grand Slam Review Shows, and monthly Live Shows on YouTube. Friends also get access to The Barge, Hannah’s Column, and an ad-free listening experience to all episodes of The Tennis Podcast. Talk tennis with Friends on The Barge! Sign up to receive our free Newsletter (daily at Slams and weekly the rest of the year, featuring Matt’s Stat, mascot photos, Fantasy League updates, and more) Follow us on Instagram (@thetennispodcast) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the news of Rafael Nadal's retirement, Jack, Sam, Stevie, and John reflect on the Spaniard's incredible legacy and share their memories on what it's like facing off against one of the GOATs. The boys welcome fellow non-major winner, World No. 8 and 3-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud to the podcast. Casper discusses competing for a spot in this year's ATP Finals, playing against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in Grand Slam finals and THAT Netflix moment in the French Open tunnel. The boys quiz him on his Norwegian celebrity status, rate his favorite American fast food spots, and and hear why he’s glad he never became World No. 1, despite being just one point away. 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:44 Sam's Weekend Adventures in Vegas 04:15 Discussing Rafa Nadal's Retirement 15:27 Casper Ruud Joins the Podcast 29:13 Family's Near Move to Florida 29:45 Tennis Legacy and Father-Son Rivalry 30:15 Breaking into the Top 40 31:52 Almost World Number One 32:57 Rafa Nadal's Impact and Retirement 35:44 Facing Rafa and Novak in Finals 43:50 Fun and Lighthearted Questions 54:14 John's Random Tennis Player of the Week