Mike arrived at the Academy at the age of 14 and remained there until he was 18, a period he defines as a complete life experience. “Living the full experience meant doing everything as well as possible: studying very hard and playing tennis at a high level,” he recalls. For the player, the Rafa Nadal Academy was “the most professional place” where he could develop both facets, with a structure he considers “the best in the world,” one that prepared him “perfectly to go to the United States, continue studying, and keep pursuing the dream of playing tennis.”

The transition to the U.S. college system was demanding. “It was a very intense process: talking to many universities while trying to improve my tennis and get good grades,” he explains. Along the way, the support of the Academy’s staff proved decisive. “My coaches, the director, the teachers, and the counselor helped me balance everything I had on my plate and gave me the opportunities to make it possible.”

Beyond sporting performance, Basing highlights the personal growth he experienced at the Academy. “It was a great place to learn and grow as an adult,” he says. Among the values he still carries today, he especially emphasizes independence and resilience. “You learn to live without your parents, to make your own decisions. Sometimes you feel lost or think you’re not progressing as you’d like, and that’s when resilience is key. It’s the perfect place to learn it.”

The Brit’s return to the Rafa Nadal Academy also had a strong emotional component. Basing earned his first ATP point in Manacor at just 17 years old, and now, six years later, lifting the ITF trophy represents the closing of a very special circle. “It’s nice to come back and not just win a match, but go all the way and win the tournament,” he notes. Despite the passing of time, he underlines the warmth of the environment: “There are people who were already here when I was, and they’ve been incredibly welcoming. Even those who didn’t know me have made me feel at home.”

This victory also allows Mike Basing to reinforce the message he shares with the new generations of players now taking their first steps at the Academy: “Focus on the long journey and on development, not just results, because results will come. Be patient and enjoy it. The Academy is an incredible place to be, and you have to make the most of the opportunity.”

A story of return, maturity, and success that exemplifies the impact of the Rafa Nadal Academy’s development model and confirms that long-term work always finds its reward. Congratulations, Max.

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The alliance with BIKKOA® Eyewear reinforces the Academy’s constant evolution through the incorporation of specialized solutions in high-performance sports optics, aimed at optimizing visual performance, protection, and preparation of its athletes, consistent with a shared vision based on excellence, continuous improvement, and attention to detail as cornerstones of elite sports.

A global alliance with an international vision

The collaboration also extends to the field of competition and padel through the Rafa Nadal Academy Team by COX, a team that participates in the Hexagon Cup, one of the most innovative events in the current padel scene. Held at the Caja Mágica in Madrid, this competition brings together the best players in the world in a unique format that combines high competitive level, spectacle, and a vision of the future of the sport. BIKKOA®’s presence as an official sponsor of the team reinforces the Academy’s link with professional padel and with competitions that represent a new way of understanding the sport.

Likewise, the agreement includes the sponsorship of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour, a leading amateur circuit at the national level that reflects the Academy’s commitment to the development of padel at its base. This tour, composed of eight tournaments held in different cities in Spain, brings together more than 1,500 amateur players, offering a first-class competitive experience aligned with the quality and organization standards of the Rafa Nadal Academy. Through this initiative, the Academy brings its methodology, values, and vision of sport to an increasingly broad community of fans.

“This agreement with the Rafa Nadal Academy represents much more than a sponsorship; it is an alliance that is born from respect and admiration for an institution that understands sport from excellence, discipline, training, and continuous improvement. From Barcelona and with an international vision, at BIKKOA® Eyewear we conceive sports optics as an essential part of the athlete’s performance, protection, and development, from the base to the elite. Being part of the Rafa Nadal Academy ecosystem reinforces our commitment to a premium approach to sport, in which innovation, attention to detail, and visual protection play a key role for both professional athletes and children and junior players who train in disciplines such as tennis, padel, and other sports, sharing a demanding and responsible way of understanding high performance,” say the management of BIKKOA® Eyewear.

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In the junior category, 2025 was once again an exceptional year, confirming the success of the Rafa Nadal Academy’s Annual Program — a flagship initiative that combines tennis training and education and ensures the all-round development of young players. Ivan Ivanov closed the season as world No. 1 in the junior rankings after capturing the Wimbledon and US Open titles, an achievement that raises to 13 the total number of junior Grand Slam titles won by players developed at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

These achievements were complemented by success on the professional circuit, led by Jaume Munar, who produced the best season of his career. He reached a career-high ranking of world No. 36, qualified for the round of 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time — at the US Open — and also played a key role in the Davis Cup ties, where Spain reached the final.

Alongside Munar, Alex Eala enjoyed the finest season of her career. The Filipina claimed her first victory in the main draw of a major, broke into the WTA Top 50 for the first time, captured her maiden WTA title in Guadalajara, finished runner-up in Eastbourne and reached the semifinals of the Miami Open, consolidating her status as one of the most promising players on the tour.

Casper Ruud, meanwhile, savoured the most important triumph of his career this season by being crowned champion of the Mutua Madrid Open, in addition to lifting the title in Stockholm.

The year was also especially significant for Coleman Wong, who recorded his first main-draw victories at a Grand Slam — once again at the US Open — and for Solana Sierra, who made history by becoming the inaugural champion of the Mallorca Women’s Championships and also added the title in Antalya, both WTA 125 events.

The year was also especially significant for Coleman Wong, who recorded his first main-draw victories at a Grand Slam — once again at the US Open — and for Solana Sierra, who made history by becoming the inaugural champion of the Mallorca Women’s Championships and also added the title in Antalya, both WTA 125 events.

The Challenger circuit likewise delivered memorable moments for Academy players. Abdullah Shelbayh claimed a new title in Las Vegas — the second of his career — while Dani Rincón starred in one of the most emotional episodes of the season by winning the Rafa Nadal Open, becoming a prophet in his own land under the watchful eye of Rafa Nadal himself. Martín Landaluce joined them after triumphing at the Orleans Challenger and completing a brilliant season that culminated in qualification for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

The season also featured important successes on the women’s circuit. Alina Korneeva, coached by Anabel Medina, completed an outstanding year by winning three titles in Bratislava, Évora and Leiria, confirming her steady progression and consistency on the tour.

In September, the Rafa Nadal Academy announced a new structure within its tennis department, built on continuity and on the DNA that has defined the project since its opening in 2016. Rafa himself welcomed Gustavo Marcaccio as the new Director of Tennis, overseeing both the Manacor academy and the centres that form part of its international expansion.

On the institutional front, the Rafa Nadal Academy continued to strengthen its international presence. In 2025, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Marbella was inaugurated — the first to open in Spain — and the launch of the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in South America was announced. The new venue, to be located in Porto Bello (Brazil), is scheduled to open in 2028, a strategic step that reinforces the project’s international vocation and commitment to new markets.

One year after Rafa Nadal’s retirement, the Rafa Nadal Academy is not only keeping his legacy alive, but expanding it and projecting it into the future through a combination of sporting success, comprehensive education and international expansion. 2025 has undoubtedly been a historic year. 2025 has undoubtedly been a historic year.

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At the end of the event, Tomeu Obrador, Director of Operations of the Rafa Nadal Academy, and Natalia Llull, from the Academy’s marketing and sponsorships department, presented Catalina Rigo, president of ELA Balears, with a check for the amount raised.

Domingo Rosselló, Director of Health and Fitness at the Rafa Nadal Academy, expressed his satisfaction with the event: “We are very happy with the great reception that this race has every year, but this year we have exceeded expectations. People have been especially supportive of ALS patients. The atmosphere of sport that we have experienced with families, children and athletes has been an example for everyone. We are already starting to prepare the tenth edition for next year.”

In the sporting aspect, Antoni Gran (with a time of 0:34:47) and Victoria Benavides (0:40:09) prevailed in the 11-kilometer category. Miquel Angel Capó and Guillem Tomeu Vadell completed the men’s podium, while Cristina Munar and Carola Bendl finished in second and third position in the women’s race. In the 6K race, the great dominators were Miquel Muntaner and Margarita Adrover

The participants, who braved the rain, participated in a pre-session warm-up led by volunteers. In addition, at the Rafa Nadal Academy facilities, the little ones were able to enjoy the playground and activities set up by the Esports Consell.

The ninth edition of the charity race was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of Movistar, Cantabria Labs, Quirónsalud and NDL as sponsors. As collaborators, the race will feature MET, Esports Consell, RCD Mallorca, Coca-Cola, Leo, Sport Shop, Müller, Palma Aquarium, Ravanetto, Fruites i Verdures Es Moya, Palma Jump, Hipercentro, Grupo Aficine, Manacor Comarcal, Quely and Mi Pequeña Fábrica.

With this event, the Rafa Nadal Academy reaffirms its social commitment and its willingness to support charitable causes through sport.

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“Hello everyone, I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas from here, from Manacor. I wish you all very happy holidays and a great 2026,” said Rafa.

At the present, the Rafa Nadal Academy has two academies, in Manacor and Kuwait, which highlight the implementation of sports and academic programs based on teaching excellence, as well as six Rafa Nadal Tennis Centers in Costa Mujeres (Mexico), Sani (Greece), Hong Kong, Marbella (Spain) and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic) and a Tennis Program in Egypt.

The Rafa Nadal Academy continues with its international expansion plan, and these centres will soon be joined by a new venue in Brazil, the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in South America, as announced in recent weeks.

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Dani Rincón will be fighting to become the first Spaniard to win this Challenger after achieving another comeback at the tournament held in Manacor. The player from Ávila lost the first set in a tie-break and, when the match was looking at its worst, trailing 3-0 in the second set, he fought back and won 7-5. In the third, he stepped up his game, and his opponent eventually retired due to injury at 4-1 in favor of the Spaniard.

Rincón expressed his gratitude for the support he’s receiving from the fans throughout the tournament. “The crowd has been incredible, it’s giving me a lot of strength. I’m playing very long matches, I’m a little tired, but this atmosphere makes me want to fight,” he said after his semifinal match.

Rincón will face Jurij Rodionov in the grand final, who defeated Lithuanian Edas Butvilas 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. After the match, he recalled his debut at the Rafa Nadal Academy: “Of course I remember it perfectly. I played against Carlos Alcaraz and won. I have a favorable head-to-head against him.”

This will be the third meeting between Rincón and Rodionov, with each winning once. Rincón won the first round of qualifying at Roland-Garros 2024 (2-6, 7-5, 6-2), while Rodionov won the same match earlier this year in Oeiras (6-1, 1-6, 6-0).

The winner will inscribe his name as champion of a tournament that has already been won by Duje Ajdukovic (2024) , Hamad Medjedovic (2023) , Luca Nardi (2022) , Lukas Lacko (2021) , Emil Ruusuvuori (2019) and Bernard Tomic (2018) .

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Rafa closely followed the comeback staged by Dani Rincon (a player developed at the Academy) against Britain’s Hamish Stewart:: “It’s great for the Academy to see players of this level. Playing here at the facilities is good for the kids who train here and also for all the people who work year-round at the facilities and who live tennis. Having a tournament of this caliber here is exciting for everyone,” commented Rafa.

The third day of the tournament, which runs until Sunday, August 31 at the Rafa Nadal Academy , also saw the elimination of the top seed, Otto Virtanen, who was defeated by Britain’s Hamish Stewart (6-3, 6-3), who came from the qualifying round.

Rafa didn’t miss a single detail of Dani Rincón’s (a player trained at the academy) comeback against Britain’s Hamish Stewart: “It’s great for the Academy to see players of this level. Playing here at the facilities is good for the kids who train here and also for all the people who work year-round at the facilities and who enjoy tennis. Having a tournament of this caliber here is exciting for everyone,” commented Rafa.

Rafa also wanted to highlight the importance of the ATP Challenger Tour in the context of international tennis: “It’s the step prior to the circuit that the general public watches on television. In fact, many of the players who are playing this type of tournament combine it with top-level tournaments. The Challengers and ITF tournaments are what help you develop as a tennis player before becoming a standout.”

The 22 Grand Slam titles champion,who early in his career won Challenger titles in El Espinar and Barletta, praised Spain’s commitment to hosting this type of event:
“The fact that Spain has invested for so many years in ITF events and is now focusing on expanding the number of Challengers is fantastic news. It allows Spanish players with limited resources to keep improving and competing at a high level without having to travel to the other side of the world. It’s a huge advantage, and something Spain has done really well.”

The Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar is being played at the Rafa Nadal Academy until August 31, with free entry for all fans. Previous champions include Duje Ajdukovic (2024), Hamad Medjedovic (2023), Luca Nardi (2022), Lukas Lacko (2021), Emil Ruusuvuori (2019), and Bernard Tomic (2018).

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Rafa Nadal, who will be honored in Paris on May 25, has inaugurated a new space dedicated to Roland Garros at the Rafa Nadal Museum in Manacor, Mallorca.

In addition to its 14 trophies, this space houses all the BABOLAT racquets Rafa used to compete in Paris, as well as all the Nike headbands he wore during his time as champion in the French capital. Visitors can also see an impressive design featuring images of Rafa lifting all the titles, as well as an infographic compiling some of the Balearic tennis player’s most astonishing statistics on the Parisian clay. Another of the most distinctive elements of this space is the replica of the sculpture that Roland Garros dedicated to Rafa, which was recently gifted to the Spaniard by the French Tennis Federation and Amelie Mauresmo, the current tournament director.

Fans visiting the Rafa Nadal Museum will be able to see up close a spectacular life-size sculpture of Rafa Nadal celebrating a title on his knees in this new space. This iconic piece, created by Nike in 2014 and weighing 150 kilos, was on display at Nike Europe headquarters until now, when it has arrived in Manacor for the first time.

The space is complemented by four screens with moving audiovisual content dedicated to Rafa’s achievements in his most special Grand Slam. And because every detail counts, 112 tennis balls have also been placed in recognition of the Spaniard’s 112 victories at Roland Garros.

The new Roland Garros area at the Rafa Nadal Museum is now open to the public as of today. Paris will also pay tribute to Rafa at the tournament itself with an exhibition featuring Rafa’s 14 trophies.

Rafa’s relationship with France reached an unforgettable milestone last summer when he was chosen to carry the Olympic torch at the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The torch, his medals, and Olympic memorabilia are also on display in a new area of the museum. Other recent additions include the last racket bag of Rafa’s career, as well as the shirts worn by Carlos Alcaraz and Rafa himself in the Olympic doubles tournament together.

The Rafa Nadal Museum is, above all, a unique experience to enjoy personally or with your family, with numerous digital and interactive activities related to the world of sport. During their visit, visitors can participate in immersive games and activities for all ages. A wide variety of sports (tennis, soccer, Formula 1, basketball, cycling, etc.) are practiced in a different and exciting way in a high-tech environment with recreational activities that has already become one of Mallorca’s main tourist attractions. In addition to learning firsthand about the achievements of one of the greatest tennis players in history, in the Rafa Nadal Museum’s exhibition space, visitors can enjoy memorabilia and objects donated by some of the leading figures in the history of world sport, such as Michael Jordan, Fernando Alonso, Valentino Rossi, Tiger Woods, Pau Gasol, Roger Federer, Mireia Belmonte, Usain Bolt, Serena Williams, Marc Márquez, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Furthermore, by visiting the Rafa Nadal Museum, visitors will be helping to develop numerous charitable projects, as part of the proceeds from their tickets go to the Rafa Nadal Foundation.

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Rafa Nadal will be honored at the Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday, May 25, the opening day of the tournament. It will be a ceremony “full of surprises” that will pay tribute to one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

It all began in 2005, in his tournament debut. In a dominant clay-court season on the ATP Tour, Nadal won 17 consecutive matches, leading him to titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Rome. He led the French capital in spectacular form, dropping just one set to reach the semifinals.

On his nineteenth birthday, Rafa faced world No. 1 Roger Federer in a huge semi-final duel, the third of 40 that would follow. Dressed in his iconic green sleeveless shirt and white shorts, Rafa won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a match that would go on to become known around the world.

In the final against Mariano Puerta, Rafa lost the first set (the only one he would lose in the tournament), but eventually defeated the Argentinian in four sets. “My dream was to win a Grand Slam title, but especially Roland Garros , because that’s the tournament all Spaniards want to win,” Rafa said after the match.

That triumph began a run of four consecutive titles in Paris. He lost only three sets in 2006, one in 2007, and none in 2008, defeating Federer in all three finals. That 2008 performance, in which he lost only 41 games in 21 sets, cemented Nadal’s status as King of Clay.

After a fourth-round defeat in 2009 to Robin Soderling , order was restored in 2010 when he defeated the powerful Swede in a final dominated by the Balearic Islands from start to finish. Once again, Nadal did not drop a set on his way to the title.
 
Rafa would reestablish his dominance in Roland Garros by winning five consecutive titles between 2010 and 2014. Despite tremendous rivalry with the members of the Big4 (Federer, Djokovic and  Andy Murray ), the Spaniard’s success in Paris was undeniable. During this period, his greatest challenge was the semi-final against Djokovic in 2013, a classic encounter that ended 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(3), 9-7 in favor of the Spaniard after four hours and 37 minutes. A year after Djokovic beat Rafa in the epic Australian Open final (it lasted five hours and 53 minutes in the longest major final in history), Rafa overcame adversity to reach another final.  

The eliminations in 2015 (losing to Djokovic in the quarterfinals) and 2016 (he had to retire due to a wrist injury) were remedied with a run of five titles in six years between 2017 and 2022. The Spaniard’s triumph in 2017 broke a three-year Grand Slam drought.

In the latter part of his career, Rafa continued to rewrite the history books in Paris. When Bjorn Borg won six Roland Garros titles, including four consecutive ones between 1978 and 1981, many thought that record was untouchable.

By equaling Sampras’s total number of Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros alone, Rafa surpassed the limits of what anyone thought was possible. “ Roland Garros is the most important tournament of my tennis career ,” he said before his farewell. “Everything I experienced there, everything I enjoyed there, will remain in my heart forever.”

Now, all sports fans can relive Rafa’s legendary feats in Paris by visiting the Rafa Nadal Museum, which houses the 92 trophies won by the Balearic tennis player.

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Medjedovic, who is adding his third Challenger Tour title this season, had previously defeated Spaniard Dani Rincón in the semifinals in a tournament in which he also had to overcome Nicolás Mejía, Laurent Lokoli, and Mattia Bellucci.

Medjedovic thus becomes the fifth player to lift the trophy on Centre Court at the Rafa Nadal Academy, succeeding Luca Nardi, Lucas Lacko, Emil Ruusuvuori, and Bernard Tomic in the tournament’s history.

“I’m very excited, but I want to thank all of you who came throughout the tournament for your support. It’s been one of the best weeks of my life. I have to say the academy is impressive, and I really enjoyed my stay. I’m happy to have achieved the overall victory,” said Medjedovic, who received the trophy from Carmen Sánchez de Medina, representing Movistar, the event’s main sponsor.

At just 21 years old, finalist Harold Mayot also dazzled the crowd in Manacor with his explosive tennis and tight three-set victories over opponents such as Joao Sousa and Nick Hardt. He also defeated three-time ATP champion Damir Dzumhur in the semifinals.

Rafa Nadal himself took to social media to congratulate the champion and close out this year’s event with a heartfelt message: “Congratulations to Hamad Medjedovic for winning the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar, to the academy players for their great performance, and to Dani Rincón for reaching another semi-final. Thanks to all the players, fans, and sponsors who have helped this ATP Challenger Tour tournament continue to grow at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Especially to Movistar for your tremendous support.”

The Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar, which concludes its fifth edition with a huge attendance success, has made history by becoming the first tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour to implement FoxTenn technology. This innovative system, unique in the world, allows the actual bounce of the ball to be determined instantly (without estimates or simulations) with 100% accuracy, allowing players and the tournament audience to know instantly whether the bounce was in or out. These new features have also been available throughout the week on Movistar+ thanks to the live broadcasts since the round of 16.

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