Rafael Nadal recently made a family stop in Hong Kong, visiting the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center with his father, Sebastián, and sister, Maribel. The center opened in July 2022, expanding Nadal’s global tennis footprint. The Spanish legend, who founded the Rafa Nadal Foundation in 2010, also launched his tennis academy and the Rafa Nadal Museum in his hometown of Manacor, Mallorca, back in 2016.
Like her brother, Maribel is also involved in sports. She studied Motor and Sports Sciences at the INEFC center in Barcelona and earned a master’s in sports management from Pompeu Fabra University. Having started out in the marketing and sales department at the Rafa Nadal Academy, she now serves as its Commercial and Marketing Director, helping drive the family’s vision for excellence both on and off the court.
Rafael Nadal Visited His Tennis Center in Hong Kong With His Sister Maribel and Father Sebastián
Nadal and his wife, Maria Francisca Perelló, were in Hong Kong to attend the Children Ball 2025, a fundraising event organized by the WEMP Foundation, a Hong Kong-based organization that focuses on youth mental wellness, in collaboration with the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s foundation.
After attending the event, Nadal, his father Sebastián, and sister Maribel visited the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Hong Kong. He took pictures of them and shared them on social media.
“I really enjoyed visiting the @rafanadaltenniscentre in Hong Kong! Congrats to the whole team for the amazing work you’re doing both on and off the court with kids and adults. It’s great to see that, even being so far away, the @rafanadalacademy methodology makes it feel like we’re somehow in Manacor. Thanks to all the patrons of the @hongkong_gta for the warm welcome and kindness. Hope to see you all soon in Mallorca!” the Spaniard captioned his Instagram post.
Nadal, who turned professional in 2001, retired from the sport in November 2024 after representing Spain in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.
What Did Nadal Say About Starting His Foundation?
Nadal recently spoke to the South China Morning Post about the motivation behind starting his foundation. He expressed his belief that sport and education can change futures. The Spaniard wanted to create a space where underprivileged children could envision a different world, rise above a “negative atmosphere,” and grow up in a “healthy community.”
“We [his foundation] have the goal to try to create places where the kids can see a different world. We try to take them out from the street, from this negative atmosphere. Bring them to a positive atmosphere, with a healthy community, with teachers, with all the kids, and through sport and education we believe we can change futures,” he said.
MORE: Rafael Nadal, Wife Mery Along With Their Two Sons Spend Time With Family in Mallorca
During his career, Nadal won 22 singles Grand Slam titles, including 14 at the French Open, four at the US Open, and two at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. He was also ranked world No. 1 in singles in the ATP rankings and has won two Olympic gold medals for Spain, among many other accolades.
