Nadal’s Academy Damaged By Flooding After Severe Storm in Mallorca

Overview of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy

The Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy was founded on October 19, 2016, in Manacor, Mallorca—the hometown of 22-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal. It has become one of the most renowned sports facilities globally, located in the Balearic Islands of Spain.

Academy Founding and Key Figures

• Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and former coach, and Carlos Costa, Nadal’s agent, spearheaded the academy at its opening.
• Carlos Moya, who replaced Toni as Nadal’s primary coach, took on the role of technical director.

Facilities and Tournaments

The Rafa Nadal Academy offers a wide range of sports amenities:

• 23 hard courts, 22 clay courts, 16 padel courts, squash courts, a football pitch, a swimming pool, and a sports medicine center.

The academy also hosts multiple tournaments, the most prominent being the Rafa Nadal Open on the ATP Challenger Tour, first held in 2018 and initially won by Bernard Tomic.

Casper Ruud is the most high-profile player to have trained at the academy, and his 2022 French Open final against Nadal marked a proud milestone for the academy.

Impact of Severe Storm and Flooding

Recently, a severe storm swept across Mallorca, heavily impacting Manacor and causing significant damage to Nadal’s Academy. Emergency operations were underway as roads closed, and rescues took place across the island.

Extent of Damage

Photos shared by the academy on social media reveal extensive flooding:

• Indoor facilities were flooded, with visible damage to infrastructure.
• Outdoor courts were also affected, suggesting major challenges in restoring regular activities at the academy.

Thankfully, the academy confirmed that everyone was safe and that repairs were already in progress.

Academy’s Response to the Storm

The academy’s official statement read:

“Thank you all very much for your messages of love after the huge storm. The important thing is that we are all well and working to get back to normal life at the academy as soon as possible. Thanks to @BombersdeMca and the maintenance teams for your effort!”

As Nadal nears the end of his competitive career, he is expected to spend more time contributing directly to the academy’s operations, possibly starting after his final tournament at the Davis Cup Finals.