A new four-part Netflix documentary series titled "Rafa," directed by Zach Heinzerling, examines Rafael Nadal's decision to retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2024 season. The film explores the physical and mental toll of Nadal's more than two-decade career, which brought him 22 Grand Slam titles alongside persistent injuries and a chronic foot condition, and offers insight into what finally pushed the notoriously relentless competitor to walk away from the sport.

The documentary, produced by Skydance Sports rather than Nadal himself, combines archival training footage with Uncle Toni, interviews with rivals including Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, and intimate glimpses of his home life. Nadal, who had previously resisted documenting his personal life, was persuaded by Skydance's David Ellison to take part. Filming began during his 2024 comeback attempt after hip surgery, but within days he suffered a further hip injury, reshaping the project's focus from a comeback story into an exploration of what could make a man who never quits finally stop, culminating in footage of his eventual retirement announcement.