Rafael Nadal returns… but with dominant Amateur Championship win

Rafael Nadal might be missing the hard-court season, but he’s found another sport to dominate in his spare time.

The 37-year-old tennis great had been on the sidelines for almost a year before returning to action in January.

However, Nadal suffered a fresh setback at the Brisbane international, which ruled him out of the Australian Open at the end of last month.

And while the Spaniard ramps up his preparations to return at the famous Indian Wells Open next month, he took to the golf course, in the only way he knows how.

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As a scratch golfer, Nadal has competed in the Balearic Mid-Amateur Championship three times in the last four years, but he has finally struck gold.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion captured the Men’s Scratch title, with a three-over-par total of 147 shots over two rounds… to win by SEVEN.

Held in his native Mallorca, the event was played at Santa Ponsa 1 – a par 72 course, which saw 75 players compete across the weekend.

Nadal led the field after the opening round, thanks to a one-over-par round of 73 before following it up with a two-over-par 74.

You’re not dreaming. Rafa is a champion again ! Not in tennis (already) but in Golf ⛳️

🎥: fbaleargolf via Instagram pic.twitter.com/yOgvDx9CaZ

— rafael_nadal_by_hippo (@rnbyhippo22) February 18, 2024

It marked the fourth time the Clay court star has teed it up in the Spanish event, after stints in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Nadal was forced to miss the event in 2023 through injury, after logging fourth, sixth and second place finishes, respectively. On the women’s side, Ana Fernandez was crowned champion.

Despite playing tennis left-handed, Nadal is a right-handed golfer, and finished third position in the overall Handicap category with a total of +1 (145 net strokes).

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He is set to make an appearance in an exhibition bout against countryman, and world No. 2, Carlos Alcaraz on March 3.

The Las Vegas bounce match has come under doubt, though, after Nadal’s opponent picked up an injury this week.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.