Rafael Nadal, the former World No. 1 Men’s tennis player, fourteen-time Grand Slam champion, two-time Olympic champion and the undisputed “King of Clay” officially launched his Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy in his hometown of Manacor, Mallorca in Spain today.

Whereas some of the big names of tennis choose to live in the glitz and glamour of Monaco and other cities, Nadal prefers the serenity of his birthplace Manacor, surrounded by his family and friends.

The academy, which opened its doors in June this year, aims to help students reach their professional tennis potential without neglecting their academic studies. The Academy will be run by Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, who has played a pivotal role in Nadal’s success. Toni Nadal heads a group of coaches and various professionals, all of whom have played a role in Nadal’s career over the years.

Rafa invited his longtime rival and close friend, Roger Federer to share the momentous occasion with him. In true Nadal/Federer style, there were lots of laughs and compliments being exchanged. Federer said that if his kids wanted to learn how to play tennis, he would send them there.

Nadal intends on spending a lot of time at the academy, but not sure in what role as yet.

He is currently ranked No. 6 in the world and despite continuous injury woes and a slip in form since the Rio Olympic Games in August, he is not ready to throw in the towel yet.

For more information about the Rafael Nadal Tennis academy, visit their website at https://www.rafanadalacademy.com/web/web-rafa-nadal-academy/