Rafael Nadal is set to participate in a tennis exhibition event in Las Vegas early next year, marking his first appearance in the United States since retiring from professional competition two years ago. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will headline “The MGM Slam presented by Capital One” at T-Mobile Arena on February 28, organizers announced Monday.

Nadal previously competed in a Las Vegas exhibition in 2024, during his final year on tour, where he faced fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. Reflecting on that experience, the 40-year-old said he remembered the excitement of playing before a full arena in the city. “Now I return in a different stage of my life, without the pressure of the tour but with the same passion for this sport,” Nadal said. He added that his love for competition remains strong despite his retirement.

Details regarding additional players and the event’s format are expected to be released in the coming weeks. The exhibition is scheduled to take place shortly before the ATP 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, California.

In previous years, the Las Vegas exhibition has featured multiple players competing in short tiebreaker formats. Nadal holds a remarkable record in tennis, with 14 French Open singles titles, four U.S. Open victories, and two titles each at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. He also earned Olympic gold medals in both singles and doubles during his career.