Tennis legend Rafael Nadal is officially serving into the streaming world. The Spaniard’s upcoming documentary series Rafa premieres on Netflix later this month, chronicling the tennis icon’s final years on tour, his retirement and the personal struggles that unfolded away from center court.
The four-part series follows Nadal during the final chapter of his professional career, including his recovery attempts after a string of injuries derailed much of his 2023 and 2024 seasons. The documentary includes behind-the-scenes footage from tournaments, training sessions at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca and moments with his family and longtime team.
Directed by Oscar nominee Zach Heinzerling, Rafa reportedly explores not just Nadal’s achievements but also the physical toll of competing for more than two decades at the top of men’s tennis. Netflix confirmed the series features extensive conversations about his chronic foot condition, recurring hip injuries and the emotional difficulty of deciding whether to continue playing.
The documentary also revisits Nadal’s legendary rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, including archival footage from major Grand Slam battles that helped define an era of tennis. Interviews from former players, coaches and members of Nadal’s inner circle are woven throughout the series.
In statements released by Netflix, Nadal described the project as an opportunity to show “the reality of what I lived through” during the final stage of his career. Vogue’s early coverage of the series noted that the documentary spends significant time on his life away from the sport as well, including fatherhood, marriage and his efforts to transition into retirement after years defined by relentless competition.
Nadal retired from professional tennis in 2024 with 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open championships that earned him the nickname “King of Clay.” His career also included two Olympic gold medals and more than 90 ATP singles titles.
Netflix’s Rafa premieres May 29.