There was a soccer and tennis mash-up at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium on Thursday as Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner, and Iga Świątek linked up with Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois. The event marked the opening of the tennis court inside the stadium, which will serve as a training ground for players competing at the Madrid Open.
Rafael Nadal, Jannik Sinner Link Up With Real Madrid Players at Special Event
Nadal, a tennis legend and Real Madrid fan, was in attendance to mark the transformation of the iconic Bernabéu stadium into a tennis court. The clay court has been installed in the middle of the field and will serve as a training base for players competing at the Madrid Open till next Thursday (April 30).
The event was held in collaboration between Real Madrid and the Madrid Open. To mark the occasion, Nadal played some double tennis alongside Courtois against Bellingham and men’s world No. 1 Sinner.
Aquí, en el Bernabéu. Parece coña pero no lo es. Partido de tenis.
Un dobles Sinner y Bellingham vs Rafa Nadal y Courtois.
Con Florentino de juez de silla.
Tremenda imagen. pic.twitter.com/hLdkzDrH4P
— Álvaro de Grado (@AlvarodeGrado) April 23, 2026
The 22-time-Grand Slam champion was also handed a Real Madrid jersey by club president Florentino Pérez. Nadal was asked about his excitement at playing tennis at the Bernabéu stadium.
“Yes [I’m very excited], but I’m not at my best right now. I might find it a bit tricky to hit the ball back,” he said via the Madrid Open.
But he called playing at the stadium a “truly special” experience.
“Thank you Mutua Madrid Open and Real Madrid. It was truly special to play on this unique court at the Bernabéu,” he wrote on Instagram.
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Bellingham, who was in attendance for Rafael Jodar’s first-round match at the Madrid Open on Wednesday, was seen honing his tennis skills.
Iga Świątek was also present at the event and played a few rallies against the Real Madrid goalkeeper before showcasing her soccer skills. The Pole also linked up with Nadal a couple of weeks after spending time at his academy and taking his and her new coach Francisco Roig’s advice. She also adorably interacted with Nadal’s older son during the event.
omg Iga and baby Rafa 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 pic.twitter.com/HYZLcfQOzd
— ɓuᴉ (@tennis_15love) April 23, 2026
Baby Rafa 😩🧡 pic.twitter.com/gPLE6m0tjf
— athar (@11A1993A) April 23, 2026
Świątek also linked up with Sinner and was later handed a Real Madrid shirt by Pérez. Earlier on Thursday, the Pole claimed a 6-1, 6-2 win over Daria Snigur in the second round of the Madrid Open. Sinner will begin his Madrid Open campaign on Friday against Benjamin Bonzi.
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have a nice moment in Madrid.
2025 Wimbledon Champs 💚
🇮🇹🇵🇱
(h/t @tennis_15love) pic.twitter.com/d0AcTTpGwy
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 23, 2026
Other tennis stars in attendance were Feliciano López and Garbiñe Muguruza, who are now serving as directors of the Madrid Open. Real Madrid women’s player Linda Caicedo was also present at the event.
This collaboration aims to bring together soccer and tennis, two of the most-followed sports in Spain. The Madrid Open is taking center stage at the moment, with several of the world’s best men’s and women’s tennis players taking part.
MORE: ‘Humble’ Alexandra Eala Impresses Rafael Nadal’s Sister As Iga Świątek Secures Return Invite
The 2026 Madrid Open will conclude with the men’s singles final on Sunday, May 3.
