Rafa Nadal has put down his tennis racket to get on a stationary bike and take part in a very special interview. The 14-time Roland Garros champion is the first guest on the podcast Con mucho de..., a space where different personalities have conversations while pedaling.
The more miles (kilometers) they cover, the more funds are raised for the Rafa Nadal Foundation and the Cantabria Labs Foundation. This innovative formula combines sports, entertainment, and solidarity in an exemplary way.
At 39 years old, the former Mallorcan tennis player reflects on the changes he has experienced in his life since he left top-level competition. Nadal says that now he wants to discover what truly excites him, after so many years dedicated to tennis.
He confesses that he still trains three days a week at the gym, where he keeps basic routines to take care of his knees and shoulders. His usual session is from 8:30 to 10 in the morning, since he prefers to start the day exercising.
Rafa Nadal's new habits after leaving professional tennis
In addition to his workouts, Rafa Nadal balances his professional life with his role as a father. In October 2022, his first son, Rafa, was born from his relationship with Mery Perelló, and now the couple is expecting their second baby.
Nadal acknowledges that his outlook on life hasn't changed, since he has always liked children, but the responsibility that comes with being a father is another story. He says that now he wakes up with a "natural alarm clock": his son. He organizes his days to spend more time at home and takes the opportunity to pick up his son from school whenever he can, reserving the mornings for meetings and work.
After leaving professional tennis, Nadal admits that he hasn't picked up a racket again, but he has returned to other sports that he used to avoid due to the risk of injury, such as soccer. He also enjoys going sailing, an activity that brings him peace and helps him disconnect.
In his free time, he likes to cook traditional Mallorcan dishes, such as rice and fish soup. This change of pace reflects a stage of greater calm and personal enjoyment after years at the elite level of sports.
His commitment to health and well-being through NDL Pro-Health
Regarding his diet, Nadal points out that he started to take better care of it in the final part of his career, although he was never excessively strict. He does highlight the use of supplements to improve his performance and recovery.
He explains that he consumes energy gels before and during training to stay active, and magnesium to help with his recovery and well-being. He also takes products for his joints every morning, all of them from his own NDL Pro-Health line, developed together with Cantabria Labs.
Rafa Nadal is highly committed to the growth of his health company, always seeking the highest quality in his products. This way, he combines his legacy as an athlete with his entrepreneurial spirit and his commitment to solidarity. Thus, Nadal continues to inspire both on and off the court, with a broader and more human approach.