Actor and filmmaker Dhanush has written a heartfelt note on social media after watching Rafa, Netflix’s documentary series on tennis great Rafael Nadal. Rather than a quick celebrity plug, it was a reflective piece in which he admitted he regretted the way he had judged the Spaniard during his on-court losses over the years.
Dhanush made a point of saying the post wasn’t a paid promotion — just the reaction of someone who has followed Nadal for more than half his life. He said the series was an emotional watch, and that seeing the physical pain and performance anxiety Nadal carried behind his fierce on-court image was eye-opening. He confessed he regretted every time he had shouted at the television when Nadal dropped a point, lost a set or fell in a big match.
The rituals, reconsidered
One part of his note focused on Nadal’s well-known habits before serving or between games — lining up his water bottles with the labels facing a certain way, clearing clay off the lines, adjusting his hair and his kit. These were often dismissed as superstition, Dhanush wrote, but the documentary framed them as ways the player managed his anxiety and stayed in control while his body wore down.
He also reflected on Nadal’s chronic foot condition and his many injuries, saying it was hard to imagine what he might have achieved with a fully fit body. Even so, Dhanush noted, Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles sit very close to Novak Djokovic’s record.
His take on the GOAT debate
Wading into the usual debate, Dhanush offered a what-if: how different the record books might look if a couple of the other Grand Slam events were played on clay rather than hard courts. He acknowledged that the numbers favour Djokovic and that many fans hold Roger Federer as the game’s most artistic player, but said that for him, Nadal remains the greatest of all time. He closed by thanking the retired star for the way he inspired people through his humility and fighting spirit.
Rafa, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zach Heinzerling, arrived on Netflix on May 29, 2026. The four-part series covers Nadal’s difficult final seasons, from his 2024 tour through to his retirement.
On the work front, Dhanush has had a busy run following the Hindi period romance Tere Ishk Mein and the Tamil action film Kara. He is currently shooting his 55th film, an untitled socio-political drama directed by Amaran filmmaker Rajkumar Periasamy. Produced by Wunderbar Films and RTake Studios with music by Sai Abhyankkar, the film features a large cast including Mammootty, Sai Pallavi, Sreeleela and Indrans.
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