# Rafael Nadal Reports Being Pain-Free Two Years After Retirement The tennis legend prepares for a February exhibition match following a long recovery. - **Source:** [Sportstar](https://sportstar.thehindu.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-04 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f39ee757-67cd-49a5-9d96-7d8d3f3d1cb9 ## Retirement and Physical Recovery Two years after officially retiring from professional tennis, Rafael Nadal reports a significant improvement in his physical health. The former world number one states he is finally living without the chronic daily pain that plagued his final competitive seasons. This transition marks a major milestone in his post-career life and personal well-being. ## The MGM Slam Exhibition Nadal is currently preparing for the MGM Slam, an exhibition event scheduled for February 28 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This match serves as a critical physical test to see how his body responds to competitive intensity. He remains excited about returning to the court before an enthusiastic live audience. ## New Chapter of Life Beyond the tennis court, Nadal describes his current lifestyle as fulfilling and active. He notes that he is traveling and working more than he initially anticipated during his retirement transition. Despite the increased workload, he emphasizes that these new professional and personal commitments are positive developments in this current life chapter. ## Potential Federer Reunion Nadal maintains frequent communication with his long-time rival and friend, Roger Federer. The two icons have discussed the possibility of playing together again, either as opponents or as a doubles team. They are waiting for the right moment and location to potentially organize such a high-profile exhibition match for their fans. ## Corporate Board Appointment In addition to his athletic endeavors, Nadal is expanding his professional portfolio beyond sports. Reports indicate he is set to join the Board of Directors at Real Madrid. This move highlights his transition into corporate governance and sports management, leveraging his global reputation and experience as a world-class athlete in new sectors. ## Training Intensity Increases To prepare for the upcoming Las Vegas event, Nadal plans to significantly increase his training volume in the coming weeks. This structured preparation is essential for managing his body's recovery while ensuring he can perform at a respectable level. He views this process as a necessary evaluation of his current physical limitations. ## Historical Context of Pain For many years, Nadal struggled with persistent injuries that defined the latter part of his professional career. His ability to move past this chronic discomfort is a notable shift from his playing days. This newfound freedom from pain allows him to engage in exhibition events without the same level of medical concern. ## Future Outlook and Significance The upcoming exhibition in Las Vegas represents more than just a match; it is a gauge of Nadal's long-term physical health. While he has successfully transitioned into post-retirement life, his return to the court remains a focal point for fans. His future involvement in tennis will likely remain limited to such selective appearances. ## Sources covering this story - https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/rafael-nadal-pain-free-mgm-slam-las-vegas-roger-federer/article71667274.ece — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._