Rafael Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players of all time. That is a fact.

His 92 career titles, including Olympic gold in 2008, speak for themselves.

But what he did on the court is not the kind of legacy the Spaniard wants to leave following his retirement.

Instead, he hopes people look back on his career with admiration for the kind of person he is.

“I hope that my legacy is that I always tried to treat others with deep respect,” he wrote for The Players’ Tribune.

“Look around you and notice the people you admire… how they treat people, what you love about them – act like them and you will probably live a happy life.

“I carried that lesson with me into every match I ever played; I was not fueled by hatred of my rivals, but a deep respect and admiration.

“I simply tried to wake up every morning and get a little bit better, so I could keep up with them. It didn’t always work! But I tried… I always tried.”

• Rafael Nadal’s career in numbers: All titles, records and awards
• Rafael Nadal says ‘adios’ to tennis for good

Did you hear that tennis star Rafael Nadal came out as gay?

It was news to me and I cover this stuff for a living, but some BBC News users late last month got an alert saying that Nadal had indeed declared he was gay.

The problem is that Nadal did NOT come out. It was the figment of the imagination of the oxymoronic “Apple Intelligence” feature on iPhones that generated an alert to the BBC News app.

“This false notification seemingly misinterpreted an article about Brazilian tennis player Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, who is gay,” Euronews reported.

Reis da Silva became the only current active out gay tennis player to come out as gay, when on Dec. 7 he shared an Instagram post celebrating the birthday of his boyfriend, actor and model Gui Sampaio Ricardo. The AI program somehow thought “Nadal” and “Reis da Silva” were the same person.

There are other possible reasons why AI got the idea that Nadal is gay. There was a 2017 play that had the tennis legend married to a man. And the time Nadal played strip tennis against male models. And maybe it was Outsports once wondering if Nadal’s glute muscles were just too big.

Whatever the reason, AI got it wrong. Again.

This was not the only recent hallucination the Apple Intelligence feature had regarding sports.

An “AI-generated alert about Luke Littler incorrectly declared him the [world darts] champion before the final match against Michael van Gerwen had even taken place,” Euronews said. “This misleading summary was based on a BBC article covering Littler’s semifinal victory. The false notification was sent to BBC News app users, caused widespread confusion as the final was yet to start.”

The BBC was pissed, in its understated way, saying in a statement: “It is essential that Apple fixes this problem urgently — as this has happened multiple times. As the most trusted news media organization in the world, it is crucial that audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.”

As more and more news organizations use AI to generate alerts or news summaries, this problem will almost certainly continue.

I wonder how many more well-known athletes will falsely be reported as coming out as gay. It’s easy to see it happening, given how wrong AI can often be. It’s interesting that the BBC said errors have happened “multiple times,” which begs the question of why the service is even being used in the first place.

After regularly getting wrong answers to simple queries that now populate the top of most Google searches via its AI bot, I have learned to be skeptical about anything it says. Instead, I seek out legitimate news sources. That includes Outsports, which would have been all over any news that someone like Nadal had come out.

Subscribe to the Outsports newsletter to keep up with your favorite out athletes, inspiring LGBTQ sports stories, and more.

Rafael Nadal is spending his first Christmas as a retired man with the people that matter most to him. In new photos shared on Instagram, Nadal shared a look at his holiday season, one he has spent with his wife and child and also his cousins, aunts, and uncles.

The photos were shared earlier this week, and show Nadal participating in some of his favorite activities. It kicks off with a photo of his entire family, with all of them smiling brightly for the camera as they completed a hike.

Nadal wears a white cap and a matching shirt from his sports brand, known for its logo of a black bull. He’s accompanied by his father, Sebastian Nadal, his mother, Ana Maria Perera, and his sister, Maribel. Some of his aunts, uncles, and cousins are also in the picture, including Marta Nadal.

Rounding out the group are Nadal’s wife, Mery Perello, and their son, Rafa, who’s two years old. His face is covered by a heart emoji, with Nadal guarding his privacy.

Nadal shared photos with his different family members, including one of himself and two younger men on the beach. The three are hugging, with their feet dipped in the water, enjoying the stunning views that Mallorca has to offer.

“Time to be with family,” Nadal captioned the post, adding a heart emoji.

Basketball

“That moment – us checking in together – is something I’ll never forget, no matter how old I get, how my memory may fade as I get older or whatever. I will never forget that moment.”

 – LeBron James on the moment he and his son Bronny became the first father-son combination to feature in the same team in an NBA match

Boxing

“No knock-out, no problem. I don’t think about it because we had a win.”

– Oleksandr Usyk after a split decision victory over Tyson Fury in the first heavyweight unification fight since 1999

In a recent announcement, Rafael Nadal has left the door open to the possibility of stepping into a coaching role following his retirement from professional tennis. The Spanish tennis legend, who officially retired during the Davis Cup Finals after Spain’s quarterfinal exit, remains non-committal but hasn’t ruled out a future in coaching.

Nadal’s 2024 season was a tale of resilience and heartbreak–a comeback attempt in January was derailed by a recurring hip injury, delaying his return until spring. At 38, after competing in select clay tournaments, the 22-Grand Slam champion finally decided to hang up his racket, bringing an illustrious career to an emotional close. His uncle and long-time coach, Toni Nadal, who played a pivotal role in shaping his career, was constantly in the stands during his farewell tournaments.

When asked about the prospect of coaching, Rafael responded with characteristic thoughtfulness: “Never say never. As of today, it is too early to think about these kinds of things. I just need to organize my life. Right now, I don’t see myself in any project of this nature, but I don’t know how my life will be in one, two, or three years.”

Speculation has already begun swirling about Rafael Nadal’s potential coaching roles, including rumors linking him to fellow Spaniard and rising tennis star Carlos Alcaraz. While the 38-year-old remains undecided, his influence on the next generation of players is undeniable. A Netflix documentary series chronicling his career, including his comeback attempts and emotional farewell, is set to provide fans with unprecedented insight into his journey.

Rafael Nadal’s current coach, Carlos Moya, has also discussed the possibility of the left-hander transitioning into a mentor role. During the Laver Cup, fans caught a glimpse of the Spaniard’s coaching instincts when he offered advice to Roger Federer in a tense match against Nick Kyrgios. However, the Spaniard has suggested that if he took on a coaching role, it would most likely be at his academy in Mallorca rather than on the demanding ATP Tour circuit.

Netflix has officially announced an upcoming documentary series chronicling Rafael Nadal’s legendary career. The series, set for release in 2025, promises an in-depth exploration of the Spaniard’s remarkable journey. The announcement comes shortly after Nadal’s emotional farewell to professional tennis, which concluded with his final appearance representing Spain in the Davis Cup.

With 22 Grand Slam titles and a reputation built on unparalleled resilience and sportsmanship, Nadal’s story is etched in tennis history. Following a captivating teaser trailer that has already sparked global anticipation, this documentary aims to cement his legacy in cinematic form. Much like Roger Federer’s “Last Twelve Days,” Nadal’s series seeks to provide a heartfelt reflection on a career that defined an era of men’s tennis.

Behind the Scenes: The Team of Rafael Nadal’s Story

Directed by Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Zach Heinzerling, the series boasts an impressive creative team. Heinzerling, known for his work on Stolen Youth and Cutie and the Boxer, brings a storytelling approach to Rafael Nadal’s extraordinary career. The production is backed by Skydance Sports, with David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jason Reed, and Jon Weinbach serving as executive producers.

The documentary aims to capture the raw emotions and defining moments of Nadal’s final year on tour. Despite battling persistent injuries, Nadal showcased determination and grit in tournaments such as the Davis Cup, the Barcelona Open, and Roland Garros, where he faced a challenging early-round defeat against Alexander Zverev.

A Legacy Built on Rivalries and Triumphs

Much of the documentary will delve into Rafael Nadal’s iconic rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic—three players whose battles shaped two decades of men’s tennis. These rivalries redefined competitive tennis and brought global attention to the sport.

In addition to his on-court battles, the documentary will celebrate Nadal’s unprecedented dominance at Roland Garros, where he secured 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. The clay courts of Paris became synonymous with his name, and his success there remains one of the most remarkable achievements in sports history.

Beyond Tennis: The Man Behind the Champion

While the documentary will highlight Nadal’s professional triumphs, it will also offer a closer look at his life beyond tennis. From his humble beginnings in Mallorca to his close-knit family and values rooted in discipline and humility, viewers will gain insight into the person behind the champion.

Nadal has always been more than just a tennis player—he’s a symbol of perseverance and dedication. The series promises to explore the relationships and experiences that shaped him, including his philanthropic endeavors and passion for nurturing young tennis talent.

Netflix’s Bet on Tennis: A Redemption Story

After the lukewarm reception of Netflix’s previous tennis series, Break Point, the streaming giant is eager to deliver a project that captures the emotional essence of the sport. With Nadal’s larger-than-life presence and a story of triumph and heartbreak, the platform is optimistic about reigniting interest in tennis documentaries.

As the sport evolves with rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek taking center stage, Nadal’s legacy serves as both an inspiration and a benchmark for future generations.

End of Rant

Rafael Nadal’s upcoming Netflix documentary is set to be more than just a recounting of victories and defeats—it’s a tribute to an athlete whose passion, humility, and perseverance inspired millions. Through this series, fans will relive the moments that defined Nadal’s career and gain a deeper understanding of the man behind the legend. For more fearless sports coverage, visit Stadium Rant.

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