In a surprising turn of events, tennis legend Rafael Nadal has reportedly turned down a $10 million offer from tech billionaire Elon Musk to become his child’s personal tennis coach. The offer, which also included involvement in a futuristic AI-sports collaboration, was rejected by Nadal, who is known for his strong principles and dedication to family and health.
According to sources close to the situation, Musk made two attempts to secure Nadal’s coaching services. The proposal was not only generous financially but also offered global exposure through a joint venture focused on enhancing sports training with artificial intelligence. Despite the tempting proposition, Nadal made it clear that money isn’t his driving motivation.
“Don’t try to buy me with money,” Nadal allegedly told Musk during their second conversation. The Spanish tennis icon, who has repeatedly emphasized the importance of values over wealth, reportedly declined with respect but firmness. This is not the first time Nadal has walked away from a high-stakes offer. In 2024, he famously turned down a $74 million deal, citing personal and professional reasons. Later, he also rejected a $400 million sponsorship deal due to conflicting ideological views.
Nadal’s position on youth sports has also been consistent. When speaking about his own child’s future, Nadal once stated, “I would prefer that my son practice another sport. It pains me to say it with everything that tennis has given me.” The tennis world has long admired Nadal not just for his on-court achievements but also for his humility and character.
In response to the rejection, Elon Musk simply commented on social media, “Respect Nadal’s choice. Sometimes, money is not everything.”
Nadal’s decision is being widely praised across the sporting community, once again showing that for him, integrity and personal values take precedence over fame or fortune.
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