Rafael Nadal does not rest on his laurels. While other athletes buy yachts and play golf carefree after their careers, he… is building a tennis empire in the Caribbean. The Dominican Republic has become his new business laboratory and a place where holidays turn into a sporting passion. From the elegant ZEL Punta Cana resort to his academy’s new training center, Nadal enters here with the same passion and precision we know from the court. And it seems he’s just getting started.
Rafael Nadal Invests in the Field of Tennis
For years, Rafael Nadal has proven that his love for tennis extends far beyond the tournament courts 🎾. This passion has led him to the Caribbean, where another Rafa Nadal Tennis Center is being built in Punta Cana. The project was announced in March 2025 during Nadal’s visit to the Dominican Republic, and even then, it was clear that this was not just another ‘ordinary’ celebrity investment. It is a step towards popularizing the sport in one of the world’s most visited corners.
The new center is scheduled to open in January 2026 at the Meliá resort in Playa Bávaro, the heart of the Dominican Republic’s most famous tourist destination. Guests of the complex will not only relax on the beaches and immerse themselves in the ocean but also… perfect their forehand under the guidance of coaches working according to the Rafa Nadal Academy philosophy. The entire project promises to be truly impressive. The plan includes five full-size tennis courts, four padel courts, six pickleball courts, a professionally equipped gym, and a sports shop. The icing on the cake will be an intimate exhibition of Nadal’s own trophies, which is sure to attract many sports fans from around the world. The training offer will be tailored to both amateurs who want to try something new on vacation and more advanced players hoping for solid, holiday progress.
As Nadal himself emphasized: “With the new Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Punta Cana as part of the international expansion of our methodology, I am sure it will help promote the game of tennis.” The Dominican Republic thus gains not only a super attraction but also an opportunity to strengthen its position as a sports and tourism hub in the Caribbean.
Rafael Nadal’s Investments in the Hotel Sector
However, Rafael Nadal’s ambitions are not limited to developing the tennis scene. His involvement has also evolved into the ZEL hotel brand, created in collaboration with Meliá Hotels International. The latest and most unique project in this line is ZEL Punta Cana, the brand’s first hotel in the Caribbean, located right on the fabulous Bávaro beach in Punta Cana. The hotel began operations in December 2024, and its grand opening took place on March 7, 2025, with important guests, including the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, in attendance. ZEL Punta Cana is an all-inclusive resort consisting of 190 spacious suite apartments, including swim-up rooms with access to private pools. Its decor is inspired by the bright, warm interiors of Mediterranean homes.
But ZEL is not just about accommodation. The brand’s philosophy is based on the idea of “active wellbeing”. Therefore, guests have access to a rich fitness and wellness program at the Zel Club, a SPA, restaurants serving Mediterranean delicacies such as tapas or paella, and entertainment in the style of a beach club. And the icing on the cake will be the aforementioned Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, which will complement the resort’s offerings. As André P. Gerondeau of Meliá emphasized: “Zel is the Mediterranean home of Rafael and Meliá. We wanted to find a balance between active wellness and relaxation… We are proud that the first international Zel hotel was built in the Dominican Republic.” During the inauguration, Nadal himself noted that ZEL Punta Cana celebrates sport, good cuisine, and entertainment, bringing the spirit of Mediterranean culture to the Caribbean.
