A new documentary series chronicling the final season and legendary career of Rafael Nadal is set to premiere on Netflix on May 29.
The four-part series, titled “Rafa,†will offer unprecedented access to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, featuring never-before-seen archival footage alongside insights from his family and inner circle. The project is directed by Zach Heinzerling and produced by Skydance Sports.
The documentary follows Nadal’s emotionally charged final year on tour in 2024, a season shaped by persistent injuries and ultimately culminating in his retirement. His final matches included a loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup and a symbolic farewell clash against long-time rival Novak Djokovic at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Despite flashes of his former brilliance, injuries prevented a full comeback. Nadal’s farewell tour included emotional appearances at tournaments such as the Barcelona Open, Madrid Open, Italian Open and French Open, where he suffered only his fourth defeat in 116 matches at the iconic Grand Slam event that defined his legacy.
The series will also explore Nadal’s rise in the early 2000s and his era-defining rivalries with Roger Federer and Djokovic—battles that helped shape modern men’s tennis and elevate the sport’s global popularity.
Netflix will be hoping the series strengthens its position in tennis storytelling after mixed results with previous projects like Break Point. The platform has continued investing in the sport, including a recent documentary focused on Carlos Alcaraz.
Ultimately, the success of “Rafa†may depend on how deeply it explores Nadal’s physical decline and emotional struggle during his final season—offering either a raw, human portrait of one of the sport’s greatest competitors, or a more polished tribute to his enduring legacy.