Rafa Nadal inaugurates Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar

Rafa Nadal fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams when he officially opened the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar in his hometown Manacor.

Joined by José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman & CEO of Telefónica and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, the Spaniard launched one of his most ambitious projects by inaugurating his own academy.

“Personally it is a very special day because today has been the inauguration of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar,” said the Majorcan. “Today is the day when we finally launch something that has taken a lot of years of work and dedication. It will be an unforgettable day for me and also for all the people involved in this project,” he continued. “I still have years of tennis ahead of me there is a future and this academy is part of this future.”

“It’s a dream come true. We hope the kids will enjoy this experience a lot and we want these facilities to be not only a professional success for them but also a great education on the academic and person front.”

“We are doing something very special and to have it here, at home, in Mallorca, in Manacor, is even more special.”

Federer said: “I don’t how many people like Rafa’s calibre have an academy. And it’s also in his hometown. So I see his DNA all around and that is an incredible bonus in my opinion.”

“If you look at this academy, you can see that it is something special where he, his family and friends have been very involved. His work ethic is right there at the top and he can share his values and experience with the kids. It’s only the beginning, but a very, very exciting one.”

Apart from Nadal, Federer and Álvarez-Pallete, ATP president Chris Kermode, ITF president David Haggerty, and Wimbledon CEO Philip Brook, were also among the guests.

Located in Rafa’s home town of Manacor in Mallorca, Spain, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar is a first-class campus, which allows young people between 10 and 18 to be educated academically in an American International School while training to become professional tennis players. In addition, the Academy has a program for students who do not wish to dedicate their lives to professional tennis, so they can get scholarships at universities in the US and continue competing.

Rafa Nadal has transformed his training base into a high-performance academy where, together with his team, he will develop young tennis players. The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar opened its doors in June 2016.

The Academy combines tennis and education so that students can continue their pathway to professional tennis without having to neglect their academic studies. The Academy has its own training system based on the experience acquired by Rafa and his technical team during his years on the ATP circuit, and includes the values that have been fundamental to his achievements and success.

New: https://www.rafanadalacademy.com