“In elite sport, as in engineering or any scientific discipline, talent is important, but never enough on its own,” explained the Spaniard, recognised following a proposal from the Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. “Behind any achievement there is always a long process of preparation, analysis, constant work and continuous improvement. Values such as rigour, the pursuit of excellence, teamwork and commitment deeply connect with what we experience in professional sport.”

“Throughout my career I have received different honours, but those that come from the academic world have a special meaning, because they represent the respect of an institution dedicated to knowledge, education and the progress of society,” Nadal acknowledged, having previously been honoured by the European University of Madrid (2015) and by the University of Salamanca (2025).

At an institution dedicated to educating the next generations, the Mallorcan highlighted the importance of effort, daily improvement and determination to learn in the most difficult moments. A mindset that allowed him to achieve excellence in sport without ever abandoning the most admirable values.

“Having short-, medium- and long-term goals is essential. To achieve them, you need to get up every day with enthusiasm and the determination to give your very best,” he said. “Along the way, we all go through difficult moments. It’s precisely in those moments that it becomes most important to maintain a positive attitude and keep working, often without immediate results. It is in that constant effort that, almost without realising it, improvement begins.”

Handling success

Rafa encouraged those present to keep their feet on the ground, to treat success as just another ingredient along the way, and to put simplicity above anything else.

“Success, for its part, can be deceptive. It’s essential to always maintain humility and self-criticism. Success is fleeting and should not distract from the work. Listening to the team, accepting mistakes and continuing to improve is key. Even in moments of greatest success, there is always room for improvement.”

“In the end, achieving goals requires time, perseverance, continuous adjustments and sustained commitment over years. Success doesn’t come quickly or by chance,” he added. “Since I was a child in Mallorca, I learned that progress doesn’t come through big changes, but through small daily improvements: hitting the ball a little better, understanding the game better, learning from every win and every loss,” he said, before leaving a final message for the youngest.

“To students, I’d like to tell you to trust your talent, but above all your ability to work. Make the most of every opportunity, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and always stay consistent and humble. You have the ability to make a difference.”

The post Nadal awarded an honorary doctorate by the Technical University of Madrid appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea successfully defended the title they won in 2025 in the women’s draw, while Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia claimed the trophy in the men’s competition after prevailing in a final of the highest level.

Following the final, Gemma Triay highlighted the importance of teamwork as the key to their success: “Thank you, team, for always believing at every moment. So much joy and a fantastic week in Cancún. A wonderful tournament and outstanding treatment. Congratulations!” The two-time Cancún champion also praised the tournament conditions: “Having everything in one place — the hotel and the facilities — is very convenient for us. Being at the Academy is always special and it’s a source of pride to represent it wherever we go. It’s the tournament where I feel most at home.”
. It’s the tournament where I feel most at home”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rafa Nadal International Centers (@rafanadaltenniscentre)

The tournament, held in a prime venue for major sporting events such as the Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral complex, brought together the top players on the professional circuit throughout the week. They enjoyed an environment that combines high-performance facilities with a premium hospitality and experiential offering. For the second consecutive year, Cancún hosted a Premier Padel event, further establishing itself as one of the standout stops on the international calendar.

Paula Josemaría, finalist alongside Bea González in the women’s draw, described the tournament as “spectacular”: “We have everything we need. As a player, I’m very happy to compete here and, of course, being in Cancún, at Rafa’s facilities, is very special for me.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rafa Nadal International Centers (@rafanadaltenniscentre)

Meanwhile, Bea González, making her debut at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres, said: “I’m really impressed by everything. The facilities are outstanding. For anyone who loves sport, this is an ideal tournament to come and enjoy.”

This event joins other premier tournaments recently held at Rafa Nadal Academy facilities around the world, such as the FIP World Cup Pairs 2025 held in Kuwait—awarded as best professional padel tournament—or the FIP Bronze organized earlier this year in Manacor, reinforcing its positioning as one of the major drivers

In addition, the Academy’s active presence in competitions such as the Hexagon Cup — in which it has participated again in its third edition — and its association with top-level players like Gemma Triay and Franco Stupaczuk, both ambassadors of the project, help consolidate a strong strategy for the sport’s development and international visibility.

The Rafa Nadal Academy continues to drive the growth of padel both through player development and through the organization of competitions that strengthen its global projection.

The Premier Padel Cancún P2 has already become a must-attend event on the international sports calendar and a true padel celebration in the Mexican Caribbean, reaffirming the Rafa Nadal Academy’s commitment to the growth and internationalisation of the sport.

The post Premier Padel Cancún P2 strengthens Rafa Nadal Academy’s commitment to padel appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

All week long, the event will turn the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres into the epicentre of international padel. In addition to the tournament matches, fans will be able to enjoy a range of activities and experiences within the Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral complex, as well as hospitality programmes and entertainment options that will complement the sporting spectacle in a setting that combines high-performance sports facilities with premium hotel and service offerings.

In the women’s competition, the standout name is Gemma Triay, ambassador of the Rafa Nadal Academy, who returns to Cancún alongside Delfi Brea to defend the title they won in the 2025 edition. Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, the leading pairs include Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia, Alejandro Galán and Federico Chingotto, Franco Stupaczuk, Academy ambassador, and Mike Yanguas, as well as Juan Lebrón and Leo Augsburger.

Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Manager of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, highlighted the importance of the tournament returning to Costa Mujeres: “Hosting a Premier Padel event at our facilities again reinforces our commitment to padel and its international reach. After last year’s very positive experience, we’re delighted to welcome this P2 back to the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres. We appreciate the trust of the promoter Jorge Mañé and Palladium, as well as the excellent feedback from the players, which encourages us to keep growing and working to establish this tournament as a regular fixture on the international calendar.”

Hosting the Premier Padel Cancún P2 strengthens the positioning of the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres, which was the first of the eight international centres to join the Academy in Manacor worldwide, paving the way for Kuwait, Greece, Hong Kong, Egypt, Marbella and Punta Cana to follow.

So much so that the players who competed in the 2025 edition were amazed by the facilities at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres. “It’s a luxury to have everything in the same venue, in a wonderful hotel and two minutes from the courts,” said Gemma Triay. Martita Ortega echoed that sentiment, highlighting the overall tournament experience: “Expectations were high, but the tournament exceeded them by far. The hotel is incredible and it’s been like a dream. Playing here is very special, and being in places linked to Rafa makes us feel at home.” For her part, Lucía Sainz wanted to highlight the emotional side of the event: “The tournament has been impressive. The promoter, Jorge Mañé, has made a titanic effort. It’s a tournament that touches your heart.” Finally, Aranzazu Osoro didn’t hesitate to describe the tournament as “a dream”.

The Premier Padel Cancún P2 has already become a must-attend event on the international sports calendar and a true padel celebration in the Mexican Caribbean, reaffirming the Rafa Nadal Academy’s commitment to the growth and internationalisation of the sport.

The post Premier Padel Cancún P2 kicks off at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

The Italian circuit of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour will feature six tournaments in the country’s main cities. The confirmed venues are Turin (April 10-12), Ancona (April 24-26), Rome (May 22-24), Milan (June 12-14), Naples (June 26-28), and Florence (September 18-20) before culminating with the grand final to be held at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, where the best teams from the international circuits will also converge.

This amateur circuit, which brought together 800 players in Italy in 2025, maintains the innovative team format inspired by the competition promoted by the Hexagon Cup. Each team will consist of a minimum of six players, who will form three pairs to compete in each round. In each tournament, all teams will be guaranteed to play at least two matches, thus promoting participation, competitiveness, and the social experience of the event.

At each venue, two men’s and two women’s categories will be contested, adapted to different skill levels, allowing amateur players of different profiles to form teams and compete for victory in their city. The champion teams from each event will enter the draw for spots to compete in the international grand final in Mallorca.

In 2026, the amateur circuit promoted by the Rafa Nadal Academy will have Holafly as a partner for the circuit in Italy, thus strengthening its presence in one of the markets where padel has experienced the greatest growth in recent years. This partnership will enhance the players’ experience throughout the tour, providing services and activations aimed at an increasingly international and connected community of athletes.

Maribel Nadal, deputy general director of the academy, has valued this announcement very positively: “The growth of padel in Italy is spectacular and we are pleased to continue developing our circuit in a country that is embracing this sport. This is something we also notice at the academy in Mallorca, where we welcome many players weekly who come from different cities in Italy to play, train, and compete.”

The consolidation of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour is part of the expansion strategy of the Rafa Nadal Academy in the field of padel, a discipline in which the academy has world-class facilities and training programs for both youth and adults. With this circuit, the academy continues to spread its values, methodology, and sporting DNA within the growing international amateur padel ecosystem.

With venues in several countries and a constantly growing community of players, the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour continues to establish itself as a global circuit that combines competition, sport, and experience, bringing the spirit of the Academy to new cities and new players each season.

The circuit is also supported by Babolat, the tournament’s strategic partner and one of the leading international brands in padel. Participants will receive Babolat products in their welcome packs, while the winners will be awarded Babolat rackets.

Schedule and venues of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour Italy 2026:

Each year, more and more players from Italy participate in the padel programs held weekly in Manacor, attracted by the training methodology and high-performance environment offered by the academy. This tour will further strengthen ties with a country where Rafa himself achieved very special milestones during his sporting career.

The post The Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour strengthens its presence in Italy with six new events in 2026 appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

The event got underway on Friday with a professional padel exhibition at Raquet X, which served as the official curtain-raiser for the tournament. Fans were able to enjoy a high-level match featuring Ramiro Moyano and “Pincho” Fernández, who faced Guga Vázquez, current No. 6 in the USPA ranking, and Javier Barahona, world No. 21. The exhibition gave participants and attendees the chance to experience top-level professional padel up close in a day that marked the beginning of the amateur competition.

Throughout the weekend, the 100 participants competed in an atmosphere that combined sport, competition, and leisure—hallmarks of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour since its inception. The circuit, promoted by the Rafa Nadal Academy, continues to establish itself as one of the most attractive amateur padel experiences for players of all levels.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rafa Nadal Academy PADEL (@rafanadalacademypadel)

Following the inaugural tournament in Miami, the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour USA by Playtomic will travel to Austin (Padel 39) from April 24 to 26, later returning to Florida to be held at Ultra Padel Miami from May 8 to 10, and will culminate with a major final event at Reserve New York, in the heart of Manhattan.

The arrival of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour in the United States represents a new step in the circuit’s international expansion, which, after establishing itself in Spain and beginning its development in Italy, continues to expand its presence in new markets. This expansion is carried out alongside Playtomic, the world’s leading app for racket sports players and clubs, which acts as the circuit’s strategic partner in its global growth.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rafa Nadal Academy PADEL (@rafanadalacademypadel)

The Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour reinforces its global character and in 2026, in addition to Miami, Austin, and New York, it will visit the main cities in Spain (Santander, Madrid, Gijón, Jerez, Valladolid, Estepona, Seville, and Valencia) and Italy (Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Turin, and Ancona), before the final event in Manacor.

The post A strong debut in Miami for the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour by Playtomic appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

Following the success of its first two editions in Spain and the recent launch of the circuit in Italy, the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour continues its international expansion and now arrives in the United States in partnership with Playtomic, the world’s leading app for racket sports players and clubs.

Exhibition featuring world padel stars

In addition to enjoying the competition, players registered for the Miami opening event and padel fans will be able to enjoy a unique spectacle featuring some of the biggest names in professional padel.

On Friday, March 13, at 6:00 PM local time, a special exhibition will take place during the first day of the event, featuring top-level players from the international circuit. Ramiro Moyano and “Pincho” Fernández will face Guga Vázquez, currently No. 6 in the USPA ranking, and Javier Barahona, currently No. 21 in the world ranking. Moyano, who previously reached the top ranks of the world padel circuit, will be one of the main attractions of an exhibition that will allow participants and fans to experience professional padel up close.

A key step in international expansion

The Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour USA by Playtomic calendar will feature four tournaments across the United States. After the opening event in Miami, the circuit will travel to Austin (Padel 39) from April 24 to 26, then return to Florida for an event at Ultra Padel Miami from May 8 to 10 and will culminate with a major final tournament at Reserve New York, in the heart of Manhattan.
The arrival of the circuit in the United States represents a new milestone in the international expansion strategy of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour, at a time when padel is experiencing significant growth in North America.

For this expansion, the Rafa Nadal Academy is supported by the strategic partnership with Playtomic, which helps connect players and clubs around the world through its technology and contributes to the global growth of racket sports.

The circuit is also supported by Babolat, the tournament’s strategic partner and one of the leading international brands in padel. Participants will receive Babolat products in their welcome packs, while the winners will be awarded Babolat rackets.

A growing global circuit

The arrival in the United States further expands the international reach of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour, which in 2026 will continue to visit some of Spain’s main cities such as Santander, Madrid, Gijón, Jerez, Valladolid, Estepona, Seville and Valencia, before culminating with the Grand Final at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor.

At the same time, the Italian circuit will continue to grow with tournaments in Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Turin and Ancona, with its final stage also taking place in Mallorca.

The post The Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour by Playtomic kicks off its first edition in the United States in Miami appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

The calendar for the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour USA by Playtomic will consist of four heats: it will kick off in Miami from 13 to 15 March at the “Padel X” club, followed by a stop from 24 to 26 April at “Padel 39” in Austin. The third event will take place at “Ultra Padel Miami” from 8 to 10 May, and the tour will conclude at “Reserve New York”, in the heart of Manhattan.

For this expansion, the Rafa Nadal Academy will enjoy the strategic support of Playtomic , the largest community of racket sport players and clubs, which, through its app, streamlines court bookings, encourages connections between players, and allows everyone to focus fully on the enjoyment of the game. At a time of rapid growth for padel in North America, this alliance strengthens the circuit’s international ambitions and its capacity to establish itself in key markets. The partnership with Babolat will also play a key role, as the brand has positioned itself as a strategic partner of the circuit and one of its main attractions for participants. Players will receive Babolat products in their Welcome Packs, and the winners will be awarded Babolat racquets.

Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Manager of the Rafa Nadal Academy, was very positive in her appraisal of the new step: “After the great reception we’ve had in Spain and the start of the circuit in Italy, taking the leap to the United States is a very important step for us. Padel is growing spectacularly in this market and doing this with a strategic partner like Playtomic allows us to continue bringing our methodology, our values, and our approach to competition to new players and new communities”.

Maribel was accompanied at the event by Franco Stupaczuck, world number 5 in the padel rankings; Mr. Alberto Tomé, Director General of Sports for the Community of Madrid; and Ezequiel Garay, former footballer and owner of the G24 club.

Laura Rivas, Director of Sponsorships at Playtomic, stated: “Our mission is to drive the global growth of racket sports through technology and, for that reason, we’re particularly excited to accompany and support the Rafa Nadal Academy upon its arrival in the United States. We’re confident in this format, which strengthens the community and brings competition to new players in a country that is key to the future of padel”.

The arrival in the USA is another step in the internationalisation of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour, which in 2026 will continue touring some of the country’s main cities such as Santander, Madrid, Gijón, Cadiz, Valladolid, Estepona, Seville and Valencia, before reaching the final event at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor. Meanwhile, the circuit in Italy, which will also culminate in Mallorca, will stop in Rome, Milan, Naples, Florence, Turin and Ancona.

Since opening in 2016 in Manacor, the Rafa Nadal Academy has been renowned for training world-class tennis players. The Academy has also made a strong commitment to padel, developing training programmes for both young people and adults at its state-of-the-art facilities, which include nine outdoor and ten indoor courts. Its fitness centre, pioneering health and wellness spaces, a wide range of dining options, and modern accommodation have all contributed to making the Rafa Nadal Academy an ideal place for playing padel. All of this has created the perfect environment for the development of young talent as well as for adults who wish to enjoy a unique experience in a setting designed for both high performance and the enjoyment of sport.

With the arrival of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour in the United States with the help of Playtomic and its consolidation in Europe, thousands of players will be able to enjoy an amateur championship that is making waves both in Spain and abroad.

The post The Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour expands to the United States with Playtomic appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

From March 16 to 22, the tournament will once again be held at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres facilities, located within the Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral complex, an enclave that combines high-performance sports facilities with a premium hotel and service offering.

Last year, the tournament left an unforgettable memory for both the public and the professionals on the circuit. “It’s a luxury to have everything in the same venue, in a wonderful hotel and two minutes from the courts,” said Gemma Triay. “I dare say that this will be the best tournament of the season,” said Aranzazu Osoro. Martita Ortega wanted to go further: Expectations were high, but the tournament has exceeded them by far. The hotel is amazing and it has been a fantasy. ”. For her part, Lucía Saínz highlighted the most sentimental part of the event: “It has been impressive. It is a tournament that touches the heart.”

In the women’s draw, Gemma Triay and Delfi Brea were crowned champions after a perfect week in which they did not drop a single set, while in the men’s draw the title went to Franco Stupaczuk and Juan Lebrón, prevailing with authority in the final.

Maribel Nadal, deputy general manager of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, highlighted the importance of the tournament returning to Costa Mujeres: “Hosting a Premier Pádel event at our facilities again reinforces our commitment to padel and its international projection. After the very positive experience of last year, it is a great satisfaction to host this P2 again at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres. We appreciate the confidence of the promoter Jorge Mañé and the excellent feedback from the players, which encourages us to continue growing and working to consolidate this tournament as a stable event on the international calendar.”

Tickets are now available through the official ticketing platform fanki.com.mx, with different categories and experience options, ranging from individual day passes to full passes for the entire tournament.

For one week, fans and visitors will be able to enjoy top-level matches, starring the leading figures in world padel. In addition to the sporting spectacle, the event will feature a wide range of activations, hospitality programs and prominent international media coverage, reinforcing the tourist, economic and global projection impact for the Cancún and Costa Mujeres region.

The Premier Pádel Cancún P2 has already become an unmissable event on the international sports calendar and a true celebration of padel in the Mexican Caribbean, reaffirming the Rafa Nadal Academy’s commitment to the growth and internationalization of this sport.

The post The Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres is preparing to host the ‘Premier Pádel Cancún’ again. appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

The Best Tournament award for the World Cup Pairs (FIP World Cup Pairs) at the Padel Spain Annual Awards represents an internationally significant recognition, reinforcing the prestige of the events organised under the Rafa Nadal Academy brand and their impact on the global development of padel.

During the World Cup Pairs, Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait once again placed itself at the heart of the international padel scene by successfully hosting the debut edition of this new world championship, which brought together the best pairs in the world over the course of a week. The tournament further established Kuwait as one of the major international stages for the sport and reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to the growth and professionalisation of padel in the Middle East.

Maribel Nadal, Deputy General Manager of Rafa Nadal Academy, spoke very positively about this new recognition: “Receiving an award of this magnitude at the World Padel Awards is a great source of pride for the entire team. Last year we were already recognised for the Kuwait City Premier Padel P1, and this new award for the FIP World Cup Pairs confirms that the work being carried out is moving in the right direction. Our goal is to offer players and fans top-level events, paying attention to every detail and contributing to the international growth of padel.”

In addition to the World Cup Pairs, throughout 2025 the international centres of Rafa Nadal Academy hosted top-level events such as the Premier Padel Cancún P2, held at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center Costa Mujeres, located within the Grand Palladium Select Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral complex. A tournament that the players themselves described as “a fantasy” and which will celebrate its second edition this year, in March. Already in this newly begun 2026, Rafa Nadal Academy Mallorca has also hosted the first FIP Bronze Mallorca tournament to be held in Spain. Furthermore, the Academy itself took part in the third edition of the Hexagon Cup, which has just been held at the Caja Mágica.

This new achievement further reinforces the excellence, continuity and international prestige of the events held at Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait, consolidating its facilities as one of the leading venues for professional padel worldwide.

The post Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait once again honoured at the World Padel Awards with the Best Tournament award for the FIP World Cup Pairs<br> appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.

“I wanted to encourage all padel fans to come to the Hexagon Cup and, if possible, support the Academy team,” says Nadal of a team that arrives after being a finalist in the previous two.

The venue chosen for this edition has a special meaning for Rafa Nadal himself. The Caja Mágica is the place where he has experienced some of the unforgettable moments of his career, such as four of the five titles of the Mutua Madrid Open in his record. “This year it is played in a very special place for me, where I have lived unforgettable moments,” recalls the player from Balearic Islands.

Nadal has also highlighted the stability of the Rafa Nadal Academy Team by Cox, which for the third consecutive year maintains the block of players that has led it to fight for the title in the previous two editions. “We are a team that has always maintained the same components. This is noticeable both on and off the court. I think we are a great family,” he says.

In the sports section, one of the novelties prior to the start of the competition is the return of Álex Ruiz to the Rafa Nadal Academy Team by Cox, who returns to be part of the team after Pablo Cardona’s absence. A reinforcement of guarantees for a group that is once again presented with the ambition intact and the clear objective of taking a further step after having been on the verge of the title.

“I am sure that with your support everything will be a little less difficult,” concludes Nadal, thanking the fans in advance for their support. The Hexagon Cup thus reunites great figures of padel and international sport, with the Rafa Nadal Academy Team by Cox ready to fight, once again, to conquer a title that has resisted them by very little in the previous two editions.

The Rafa Nadal Academy Team by COX will have as rivals in this edition of the Hexagon Cup Robert Lewandowski (RL9 Team), Andy Murray (AD/vantage Team), Eva Longoria (Eleven Eleven), Team Bella Puerto Rico, Team Hexagon Cup, Kun Agüero (Krü Padel) and Pierre Gasly (10 Padel Team) during four vibrant days that will decide which teams access the finals on Sunday, February 1.

The post Rafa Nadal encourages support for the Rafa Nadal Academy Team by Cox at the Hexagon Cup appeared first on Rafa Nadal Academy.