King Felipe VI marked his 10th year on the Spanish throne by bestowing the country’s former number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal, with a nobility title.
The tennis champ was one of five to take home the honour of a nobility title. He joined pop singer Luz Casal, the King’s former secretary Jaime Alfonsín Alonso, Paralympic swimmer Teresa Fernández Perales, biochemist Carlos López Otín and photographer Cristina García Roder. This is the first time in his reign that King Felipe has bestowed such an honour.
“They are a source of pride for Spain and a permanent reference point for values that should inspire our society,” said the Palace in a statement.
“An aristocratic “title is more symbolic than in years gone by, when it represented a deed of land. In the case of Nadal, it serves to recognise his immense contribution to Spain through sporting excellence on the world stage.”
What is Rafael Nadal’s title?
Rafael is now the 1st Marquis of Llevant de Mallorca. This title is hereditary, meaning his children are next in line for the title. The new Marquis and his wife, Maria Francisca Perello, have a two-year-old son, Rafael Nadal Junior. They are currently expecting their second child.
The title was chosen for the Spanish island of the same name where Rafael was born and still lives.
He met with the King in person to receive the award; however, no photographs were taken of the private ceremony. Despite that, later that day, the Spanish royal family were pictured on the balcony of the royal palace in Madrid alongside the 19 recipients of the Order of Civil Merits, granted for their service to others.
During his extraordinary career, Rafael won 22 major titles, which included two Olympic medals and 14 French Opens. Along with Andre Agassi and Roger Federer, he is one of only three male tennis players to achieve the Career Grand Slam in the Open Era.
This is not the first award that King Felipe has granted to Rafael. In 2022, he was awarded the Camino Real Award. The award recognises the work of those spreading a positive image of Spain in the United States. Previous winners included actor Antonio Banderas and celebrated tenor Plácido Domingo.
In addition, he was often pictured cheering on the Spanish champ during many of his matches.
