Rafael Nadal
Nadal hits the slopes and receives a funny message from Olympic champion Vonn
The Spaniard posted ski photos on Instagram
February 22, 2026
Rafael Nadal attended the Australian Open final earlier this month.
By Sam Jacot
Weeks after returning to the spotlight at the Australian Open, where he overtook compatriot Carlos Alcaraz after the final, Rafael Nadal swapped Rod Laver Arena for snow-capped peaks.
The former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP rankings revealed on Saturday that he has gone skiing for the first time in 26 years and shared the moment with fans on Instagram. Posting photos from the slopes, Nadal wrote: “After 26 years… what an incredible feeling to be skiing again!”
The Spaniard spent more than two decades carefully managing his body due to the demands of the Tour, which meant skiing was completely off limits. Now retired, the Spaniard enjoys the freedom to gain new experiences.
The last performance of the 22-time major champion contrasts with his career. In February 2014, Nadal captured the ATP Tour titles in Doha and Rio de Janeiro, thriving in the heat and intensity of the competition. This time the setting was cooler and the purpose was purely recreational.
Among those who responded to Nadal’s post was Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn, who commented: “We should ski together when I’m healthy!”
American skier Vonn has regularly weighed in on the sport and its stars, praising Jannik Sinner in recent years and even drawing comparisons between the Italian’s composure and that of Roger Federer.
Nadal is the latest star to hit the slopes, after Andy Murray went on a ski trip with his family in 2025 before coaching Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open.
#Rafael #Nadal #hits #slopes #receives #funny #message #Olympic #champion #Lindsey #Vonn #ATP #tour #Tennis