Tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer traded their rackets for golf clubs on Sunday at the prestigious Pula Golf Resort in Son Servera, Mallorca. The pair, who have transcended their on-court rivalry to build a genuine friendship, enjoyed a morning round at the course located just minutes from Nadal’s hometown.
Social media quickly buzzed with excitement as photos emerged of the two tennis greats swapping serves for swings on the familiar Mallorca greens. Resort owner Romeo Sala warmly welcomed both champions for what many are calling a perfect blend of sport and friendship.
When Tennis Legends Meet on Golf Course
The sight of Nadal and Federer together at Pula Golf Resort comes as no surprise to those familiar with their shared passion for golf.
Nadal has been a regular fixture at the course for over a decade, participating in annual charity tournaments and utilizing the facilities to unwind from his tennis career. The Spaniard boasts an exceptional golf handicap between 0.1 and 0.3, having finished sixth at the 2020 Balearic Golf Championships. His love for the sport runs deep, with the retired tennis champion often stating that golf helps him relax and maintain his competitive edge.
Nadal y Federer: De la pista al ‘green’ de Pula Golf https://t.co/8qhLWFAeBY pic.twitter.com/GvpTfSQOkZ
— Del🇪🇺 (@Stroppa_Del) July 21, 2025
Federer, meanwhile, has only recently embraced golf as a serious hobby following his retirement from tennis in 2022. The Swiss maestro currently plays off an 8.9 handicap, achieved in just eighteen months of dedicated practice.
Federer ve Nadal şimdi de birlikte golf sahasında ⛳️
Onlar için çim sezonu artık böyle geçiyor 🌱 pic.twitter.com/pMQjffK92o
— TenisHaberleri (@SadeceTenis) July 21, 2025
What makes their golf outing particularly special is the venue choice. Pula Golf Resort holds significant meaning for Nadal, who has organized numerous charity events there alongside two-time Masters winner JosĂ© MarĂa Olazábal.
The course, redesigned by Olazábal between 2004 and 2006, has hosted European Tour events and regularly welcomes sporting celebrities for various tournaments.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s Relationship Beyond Tennis Courts
The friendship between Nadal and Federer extends far beyond their 40 professional tennis encounters, where Nadal held a 24-16 advantage. Their relationship has evolved into one of mutual respect and genuine camaraderie, demonstrated most memorably during Federer’s emotional farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup. This recent golf outing represents another chapter in their enduring bond, showing how both champions continue to inspire each other in retirement.
Golf has become a natural transition sport for both players, utilizing skills that complement their tennis backgrounds. Nadal’s right-handed golf swing contrasts with his left-handed tennis style, while Federer has impressed observers with his naturally smooth golf technique.
The choice of Pula Golf Resort for their round reflects Nadal’s deep connection to his homeland and his ongoing involvement in Mallorca’s sporting community.
The resort regularly hosts the “Battle of Stars” charity tournament, where Nadal teams up with sports and entertainment figures to raise funds for ALS and multiple sclerosis research.
With both legends now free from professional tennis obligations, their shared golf adventures represent a new dimension to one of sport’s greatest rivalries turned friendships.
