The clay season is his most successful, as he chases a 10th Roland Garros

It’s been a busy couple of days for 14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.

The Spanish tennis star has received an honorary doctoral degree, Doctor Honoris Causa, from the European University of Madrid.

The 28-year-old is in the Spanish capital ahead of the Madrid Masters, where he is the reigning champion and four-time winner.

Rafael Nadal bows his head to wear a certain hat for the ceremony in Madrid on Monday

Wearing a rather unusual ensemble, tennis star Rafael Nadal was awarded an Honorary degree in Madrid

The 28-year-old Spaniard lines up with other recipients at the European University in Madrid on Monday

Despite being made to wear a bizarre headpiece for the ceremony, Nadal was evidently pleased with his honorary degree.

Before his tennis duties in Madrid, Nadal was also presented with the ‘Working Medal of Honor’ by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in a ceremony held at La Moncloa Palace.

Nadal headlines a stellar field for the Mutua Madrid Open, as 43 of the top 45 in the rankings are competing, with world No 1 Novak Djokovic a notable omission.

The Manacor resident is provisionally ranked seventh next week, so must turn around his inconsistent form and retain as many points as possible in Madrid.

2015 has been a below-par season for the battling Spaniard thus far, with surprise recent losses to Fabio Fognini and Fernando Verdasco on the scorecards.

A semi-final loss to Djokovic in the Monte Carlo Masters with consummate ease at 6-3, 6-3 proved Nadal has much work to complete to reach the heights of ‘King of Clay’ once again.

The nine-time Roland Garros champion is back on his preferred clay courts for the Madrid Masters

Nadal attended the Madrid Masters player party along with top names from the men's and women's game

Nadal (left) with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (centre) and and Labour Minister Fatima Banez at a ceremony