Rafael Nadal has officially retired from professional tennis, but his name remains front-page news. In 2026, discussions about his financial situation have only intensified. The spotlight is on not only his sporting achievements but also the scale of his business empire, which, according to experts, has long surpassed the scope of a typical athlete’s investments.
The figures being discussed are staggering. Over his years on the court, Nadal earned more than 120 million euros in prize money alone, while endorsement deals with global brands brought in even more. However, after leaving the sport, he hasn’t slowed down—instead, he has actively expanded his assets, investing in new sectors that have sparked considerable questions among observers.
Family control
Unlike many other athletes, Nadal chose not to entrust the management of his wealth to outside managers. All major decisions are made within a close family circle. His father, Sebastián Nadal, oversees the main business projects, while his wife, Maria Francisca Perelló, heads the charitable foundation that has become a prominent player in the social initiatives market. Nadal’s mother, Ana María Parera, is in charge of Aspemir Holding, through which the main financial flows are managed.
This approach to asset management elicits mixed reactions. On one hand, family control helps minimize risks and maintain confidentiality. On the other, experts note that such a setup can lead to conflicts of interest and complicate financial transparency. So far, there have been no high-profile scandals, but rumors of behind-the-scenes disagreements within the family occasionally surface in the Spanish media.
Diversification and risks
After ending his sports career, Nadal focused on diversification. His tennis academy, launched back in 2016, has become an international brand with branches outside Spain. But that’s not the whole story. In recent years, he has been actively investing in luxury real estate on the Costa del Sol, which has already sparked discussions among local residents and housing market experts.
His unexpected passion for new technologies drew special attention. Nadal became a co-owner of a team in the E1 Series electric boat racing world championship. This project is presented as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional sports, though some analysts question its commercial viability. Nadal’s portfolio also now includes a perfume business, a cosmetics production company, and even his own media content studio.
Hotels and international ambitions
One of Nadal’s most ambitious projects has been the Zel hotel chain, created in partnership with a major Spanish hospitality group. Plans call for more than twenty locations to open across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East. This move has stirred up the market: competitors are wary of a strong new player, while experts debate how successful the expansion will be.
At the same time, Nadal has retained control over his academy, although part of the shares has already been sold. This approach allows him to stay at the center of events without losing influence over key decisions. However, some observers believe that such wide diversification may result in scattered resources and reduced management efficiency.
A future beyond the court
The question of Nadal returning to tennis in a new role remains open. Behind the scenes, there is talk of him possibly becoming the coach of Carlos Alcaraz or captain of Spain’s Davis Cup team. Nadal himself is in no rush to give answers, emphasizing that his current lifestyle is incompatible with constant travel and the stress of professional sports. He prefers not to hurry with decisions, reserving his right to personal space and adaptation to a new reality.
For now, public attention remains focused on his business activities. Every new project sparks a wave of discussion, and any movement of capital raises suspicions about possible attempts to conceal the true scope of his wealth. In Spain, debates continue over how transparent Nadal’s affairs really are, and whether the image of a successful athlete may be hiding a complex financial structure.
Rafael Nadal is not just a legend of world tennis, but a figure whose influence has long surpassed the boundaries of the sporting arena. His academy in Manacor has become a symbol of a new approach to training young athletes, while his charitable foundation carries out large-scale projects across the country. The Zel brand is rapidly gaining ground in the hospitality market, and his involvement in innovative startups only strengthens Nadal’s reputation as one of Spain’s shrewdest investors. Yet behind this outward success lies a complex management system, where every decision is made with an eye on family interests and long-term prospects.
