Perez to referee tennis match featuring Nadal and Real Madrid stars

 Nadal trains with Courtois and Bellingham

Perez to referee tennis match featuring Nadal and Real Madrid stars

Retired tennis star Rafael Nadal returned to the courts today, specifically at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, home of Real Madrid football club.

The Madrid Masters 1000 tournament has set up a temporary court at the Royal Club's home ground, where players will be allowed to train until April 30. Nadal, a die-hard Real Madrid fan, is the most decorated player in the Madrid Open, having won the title five times.

Nadal, along with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, participated in a friendly training session against world number one Jannik Sinner of Italy and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham of England. A video circulated showing Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on the referee's bench for the match.

Bellingham was keen to attend the Madrid Open on Wednesday to watch young Spanish star Rafael Godar secure a victory in his first appearance at the tournament. The competition is being held at the Caja Mágica tennis complex in the Spanish capital.