Nadal swaps racquet for knife and fork

RAFA NADAL will be hoping to bring a little taste of Mallorca to the public as he launches a string of restaurants in collaboration with fellow household names Enrique Iglesias, Pau Gasol and Rudy Fernandez.

The tennis superstar, international singer and two basketball stars have teamed up with businessman Abel Matutes Prats for the venture that will see the first restaurant open in Madrid in March. Called ‘Tatel,’ the star-studded entrepreneurial group will be making the restaurant global, with further branches planned for Ibiza, Barcelona, London and Las Vegas.

“The food of our country is very famous,” said a spokesperson for the investors. “There are many Spanish restaurants but none have tried to become the reference at a national or even international level.”

Reports suggest that the flagship Madrid Tatel will be 800 square metres, divided into three zones and featuring 1920s décor. It’s been claimed that Mallorca-born Nadal – currently back on the island following his Australia Open exit – was one of the main instigators of the idea, immediately trying to involve his friend Pau Gasol.