Andy Murray received a surprise from Rafael Nadal when the pair reunited in Mallorca, with the Spaniard leaving a care package that included a new iPhone in Murray's room.
The three-time Grand Slam champion travelled to Manacor, Mallorca, to celebrate 10 years of Nadal's academy. To mark the anniversary, Nadal hosted the Rafa Nadal Academy Slam, an exhibition event that pitted Team Nadal against Team Murray.
Team Nadal Wins Exhibition Event
Nadal's squad, which included Carlos Moya, David Ferrer, and Richard Gasquet, beat Murray's team of Dominic Thiem, Marat Safin, and Fabio Fognini in a series of 10-point doubles tiebreaks.
Despite losing the tournament, Murray did not leave empty-handed. In a YouTube vlog for The Set, the channel he shares with his brother Jamie, Murray documented the gifts Nadal had left for him.
Generous Gifts from Nadal
Murray was shown to his room by Maribel, Nadal's sister, who works in marketing and sales for the academy. Holding up the phone, he said: "Is this a new… This is a new phone? Look. I needed a new phone, so that is… Wow."
The gifts did not stop there. Murray also found a Nike jumper, olive oil, and a bottle of wine with the Rafa brand. "Everything is from Mallorca," Maribel confirmed. When Murray asked when Nadal launched the wine, she replied: "Last year. You have to taste and let him know if it's good or if he has to improve!"
Close Contest on Court
Nadal showed no mercy on the court, teaming up with Gasquet to beat Murray and Safin 10-0 in one of the tiebreaks. After the first six 10-point breakers, the scores were level at three wins each.
The champions were decided by a first-to-seven-point tiebreak. Nadal and Moya claimed a 7-5 victory over Murray and Fognini to win the inaugural Rafa Nadal Academy Slam.
Murray's Thanks and Nadal's Offer
During the trophy presentation, Murray told Nadal: "Thank you all for the atmosphere today, and thank you, Rafa, for inviting me. You have an incredible place here. All the children are incredibly fortunate to train somewhere like this."
Nadal responded with a special offer, joking: "Thank you for those words, Andy. Perhaps next time we can hold a golf event, so you'll have a chance. I know you're practising a lot, quite a bit more than I am, so perhaps the next Nadal Academy Slam can be golf."
