Article by David Istrate – published on Friday, June 20, 2025, 13:45 / Updated Friday, June 20, 2025 14:12
Rafael Nadal (39 years old), the legendary tennis player, was decorated by King Felipe VI of Spain with the title of Marquis by Mallorca. The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles received this noble title at 7 months after retiring from the activity.
On Thursday, June 19, in the Zarzuela Palace, Rafael Nadal and 5 other Spanish personalities were decorated by King Felipe VI during a festivity. In addition to the former tennis player, the activity of celebrities like Luz Casal (singer), Jaime Alfonsin Alonso (the head of the Royal Household for a decade), Teresa Fernandez Perales (swimming), Carlos Lopez Otin (biochemist) and Cristina Garcia Rodero (photographer).
“They are some exponents of excellence, either in the service of the crown or in the field of thought, culture, science, art or sport”, Said the monarch of Spain.
Rafael Nadal, decorated in a ceremony organized in the Madrid Royal Palace
According to El Pais, these honorary rights cannot be sold or bought and do not involve any financial compensation.
Rafael Nadal was appointed Marquis by Llevant de Mallorca, Llevant being a region from the east of the ballear islands, which also includes Manacor, the hometown of the Spanish champion.
Nadal played tennis in the period 2021-2024 and won 92 titles, 22 of them being in Grand Slam tournaments. The “Matador” is associated with the history of Roland Garros, due to the fact that, throughout his career, he has won the Paris trophy.
In addition, Nadal also has two gold medals in the Olympic Games and 5 titles in the Davis Cup.
In the 24 years in which he played tennis at the professional level, the new Marquis obtained earnings of over $ 130 million only from prizes.
In 2008, Nadal's activity was recognized in the prince of Asturia, who was at that time Felipe VI. 14 years later, in 2022, he received the 5th Camino Real prize, offered by the University of Alcala de Henares (UAH).
