© Chris Hyde
First Stone Laid at the Rafa Nadal Academy
World number 3 Rafael Nadal kicks off construction of new tennis school in Manacor
Yesterday the first brick was laid by Rafa himself as they began construction of his tennis school in his home town of Manacor in the east of Mallorca. Beneath the foundations he placed a time capsule containing, amongst other memorabilia, a tennis racket and a copy of the newspaper Diario de Mallorca.
The aim of the new project, which is expected to open in the summer of 2016, is to "bring the best" out of young players, but above all to "prepare them for the future" on a personal and academic level. Nadal also plans to work here once he retires from professional tennis and wants to bring young players from around the world to the school in Mallorca.
The building itself will house 18 tennis courts, a school and a residence for the pupils, and also the Rafa Nadal Foundation and a sports museum. In addition to these resources the complex will also contain 3 swimming pools, a football pitch, athletics field, a medical centre, a small shopping and social area, plus around 35 apartments for professional athletes and sports teams. With Mallorca becoming such a hub for cycling, swimming and other sports training it is hoped that the facility will be beneficial to bringing well known sports personalities and teams to the Island.
The complex will also be a 'meeting point' for the local residents and residents of the Balearic Islands and will be open to all to encourage a healthier lifestyle.
The 28-year-old is recovering from the removal of his appendix earlier this month. Nadal has said he will return to competition in January.
