Tennis champion Rafael Nadal has detailed his experience filming "Rafa," a new Netflix documentary series that premiered globally on May 29, 2026 [1].
The series marks a significant departure for the 22-time Grand Slam winner [4], who has historically maintained a strict boundary between his public career and private life. By granting unprecedented access to his home and family, Nadal provides a rare glimpse into the personal toll and emotional weight of transitioning away from professional sports.
The project consists of four episodes [2] with a total runtime of nearly four hours [3]. Directed by Zach Heinzerling, the series follows Nadal through his final year on the ATP Tour, capturing the physical and mental challenges of his twilight playing days.
Nadal said he wanted to show the person behind the athlete, not just the champion on court [1]. This desire to humanize his legacy drove the decision to allow cameras into his private world for the first time [5].
Heinzerling said the production team wanted to capture the humanity behind the champion, letting viewers into his family life for the first time [6]. The footage includes interactions with his wife, Mery Perelló, and son, Rafa Jr., offering a contrast to the intensity of the professional circuit.
A Netflix spokesperson said the series offers an intimate look at a legend at the twilight of his career, and the company was proud to bring that story to the platform [7].
“"I wanted to show the person behind the athlete, not just the champion on court."”
The release of "Rafa" serves as a curated coda to one of the most successful careers in tennis history. By controlling the narrative of his retirement through a high-production documentary, Nadal transitions from an active competitor to a historical figure, ensuring his legacy is defined not only by his 22 titles but by his personal resilience and family values.
