Mats Hummels takes a break in Mallorca – tennis, tapas and harbor breeze

A relaxed new start under the Mallorcan sun

You can see him in photos and short videos: casual, sun‑tanned and with a tennis racket in hand. Mats Hummels has chosen Mallorca as the place for his retreat, detailed in From the Pitch to the Seafront: Mats Hummels Recharges in Mallorca. After years in the spotlight and with his career ending in May 2025, he is temporarily turning his back on the hustle of professional sport. On the island he seems to have found exactly what many of us repeatedly search for – a handful of good rituals, a bit of sea breeze and the certainty that a day can also succeed without a training schedule.

Exercise remains, but the pace is slower

Sport still plays a role in the new daily routine, but in a different form: a friendly recreational kick with acquaintances, match points on one of the local tennis courts or morning runs along Palma's Paseo Marítimo when the seagulls are still shrieking and the cafés are just firing up their espresso machines. Hummels' images do not convey a training drill, but the pleasure of movement – and that is contagious for the local clubs. Who knows, maybe we will soon see more young and old on the courts, motivated by a well-known neighbour.

Tapas, harbour ice cream and the island's rhythm

Between sport and sunbathing lies Mallorca's culinary map. One photo shows him holding a selection of tapas, apparently taken in a small bar with tiled floors, clinking glasses and conversations hanging in the warm air, a moment featured in Mats Hummels encuentra paz y placer en Mallorca. Whether Puerto de Sóller or Palma's old town – the scene is familiar: waiters carrying plates through the maze of tables, the chirping of cicadas in the trees and now and then a boat engine drifting over from the pier. Such quiet, everyday images are an invaluable calling card for the island: not a loud appearance, but a genuine slice of lifestyle.

Good news for Mallorca

What does this mean for the island? More than just celebrity pictures. The presence of well-known personalities can give local businesses a boost – from the small tapas venue to the tennis club. When Hummels enjoys ice cream at the harbour in Sóller or buys a smoothie at the small organic market, attention and sometimes new guests flow into familiar corners. It is important that this attention does not disturb the tranquillity but highlights the quality of the offerings: good cuisine, well‑kept places and a feeling of arrival.

The call back to the coaching bench – and the island's response

Of course, comments on his posts repeatedly refer back to the football world. Some fans wish to see him return as a coach, especially at well‑known clubs. But Hummels does not currently come across as someone who lets himself be pushed. Instead he is taking his time to see what life tastes like at a slower pace. For Mallorca this is not a loss but an opportunity: if celebrity curiosity on the island leads to participation in local events, charity matches or youth projects, the community benefits.

A role model for the slow farewell

What remains as an impression? A pro who does not completely turn away from sport, but redefines it. Amid the scent of orange blossoms, the clack of dominoes in a street café and the quiet lapping along the promenade, Hummels demonstrates how a retreat can look that is neither dramatic nor loud. For Mallorca it is nice to see: the island offers space for such pauses. And for the people here it is a reminder that quality of life often lies in small things – a well‑played doubles match, a shared plate of tapas and a long sunset over the Tramuntana.