Rafael Nadal receives honorary doctorate from University of Salamanca

Just call him Dr. Rafa! As of Friday, Rafael Nadal has a new award to add to an already legendary trophy case: an honorary doctorate from University of Salamanca.

"This day will always stay with me and encourages me to continue being faithful to the values that sports have taught me," Nadal wrote in an Instagram post recapping the ceremony.

Though he was officially conferred in a lavish celebration this week, the school voted to present Nadal with the honor at the end of 2024. At the time of the vote, according to a report by Spanish newspaper El País, the dean of the faculty of education, Ricardo Canal, praised the 22-time Grand Slam singls champion as “one of the best athletes of all time, an example of values such as discipline and teamwork, humility and simplicity, perseverance and the spirit of improvement, and commitment to excellence.”

Nadal is the first athlete to receive an honorary doctorate from the university, which was founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX, and is the oldest university in the Hispanic world and the fourth-oldest in the world.

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In his acceptance speech, the 39-year-old shared sentiments about the power of sport, and quoted Nelson Mandela.

"Sport reminds us daily that beyond our differences, we have a lot in common," Nadal added. "It teaches us to respect the opponent, to compete with intensity and sportsmanship, and to celebrate not only our victories, but also to respect and value the effort of others.

"In a world that seems to be constantly dividing and polarizing, I firmly believe that sport can be a bridge and a meeting space that promotes coexistence, cordiality, and mutual respect."

It's the second time in his life that Nadal has received an honorary doctorate from a Spanish institution of higher learning. In 2015, he was honored by the European University of Madrid.