Rafael Nadal, owner of Team Rafa in the E1 Series, is set to compete against fellow sporting legends LeBron James and Tom Brady in the E1 Doha GP. James, valued at $1.2 billion, and Brady, worth $512 million (according to Forbes), own Team AIUIa and Team Brady respectively. On February 17, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the E1 Series shared a promotional image of the E1 Doha GP, featuring teams owned by Nadal, James, Brady, and other prominent athletes, all vying for the all-electric powerboat racing championship.

Nadal joined the E1 electric boat racing league as an investor and team owner in early 2023. NFL icon Tom Brady became a team owner in the E1 Series in 2024, following Nadal’s lead, and earlier this year, it was revealed that NBA star LeBron James also joined the league as a team owner.

Other notable team owners include DJ Steve Aoki, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, entrepreneur Marcelo Claure, football legend Didier Drogba, singer Marc Anthony, and actor Will Smith.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Doha opponent Luca Nardi recently warned of his past success against Novak Djokovic, while Naomi Osaka has asked for a review from Patrick Mouratoglou and her team after showcasing her new custom Nike shoes during practice.

Rafael Nadal explained his involvement in the E1 Series by stating, “E1 has a clear mission,” during a 2023 interview.

At a press conference during the 2024 Barcelona Open, Nadal, a former ATP No. 1 and 22-time Grand Slam champion, shared that his decision to invest in the league went beyond business. He hopes this investment will raise awareness about environmental restoration and help combat the destruction of marine ecosystems.

“I’m really excited to be getting involved with a project like E1 that values sustainability and will make a positive impact on society as a whole, especially in coastal communities. I also like the fact that E1 has a clear mission and is committed to preserving marine ecosystems. As a professional athlete, I recognise how making marginal gains has a positive impact on performance,” Nadal stated in January 2023.

The Spaniard ended his legendary tennis career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, receiving tributes from friends and rivals alike as he bid farewell to the sport.