Of the more than 60 matches Rafa Nadal has won in Rome, one of the most memorable before reaching any of the eleven finals he has disputed there came against Nikolay Davydenko in 2007. Until then, he had won all 15 matches he had played in the Italian capital, but the Russian was ready to end his streak. For three hours and 39 minutes, the Spaniard had to battle it out on court to see off a stubborn opponent -then No. 4 in the world- 7-6(3), 6-7(8), 6-4. He would go on to win his third title against Fernando González a day later, 6-2, 6-2.

It’s an eternal debate that perhaps has no single answer that everyone can agree on. If the final played by Rafa Nadal in the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome in 2005 was not the best he has played on clay in his career, it is certainly up there. Without a shadow of a doubt, it was one of his most thrilling, most captivating and closest. The Spaniard claimed his first crown in the Foro Itálico 15 years ago by beating Guillermo Coria 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(6) in the decider.

It was the second time he had squared off against the Argentine in a month. A few weeks prior he had won his first ATP Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo after beating the same opponent. In the Italian capital, Coria was after revenge, but the man from Manacor had other ideas in one of the most epic matches he has produced in Rome’s tournament, lasting five hours and 14 minutes.

The 2005 final is one of the two Nadal has won in the fifth set on clay. He did the same a year later at the same venue against Roger Federer

Rafa Nadal arrived in Rome last season without a single title up to that point. His last defeat at the Mutua Madrid Open had come against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals, the same round in which they would meet in the Foro Itálico a week later. However, it was a different story on the Italian clay. The Spaniard won 6-3, 6-4 and demonstrated why you should think twice before testing his forehand. A day later, Nadal claimed his ninth crown against Novak Djokovic.

The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar has obtained the "Safe COVID-19 Protocol by Quirónsalud" seal, issued by Applus+. This seal certifies the quality and efficacy of the Academy’s working processes that guarantee the safety and wellbeing of all of its players.

In recent months, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar has become a model of safety, trust and wellbeing thanks to its management of a crisis that forced it to lockdown more than 85 young tennis players on the complex under demanding protocols and hygiene measures that guaranteed the containment of the virus.

The Supervision of the protocol by QuirónSalud, the Academy’s health partner, enabled the implementation of all the measures and eventually guaranteed a complete lack of cases during the more than two months of confinement, while also enabling the new processes that allowed coaches and personnel to return to their jobs in order to keep working for the players during the de-escalation. As soon as Mallorca entered Phase 1, all players at the Academy were able to return to the courts under the protocols stipulated by the High Council for Sports and the Real Federación Española de Tenis.

The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar returned to its activities safely by controlling the risks with reinforced hygiene, social-distancing, disinfection and control measures, both for the facilities and of the staff. Likewise, walkways have been reorganised with signage to meet the highest standards in light of the pandemic.

Having guaranteed the health and wellbeing of the players during the lockdown, the Academy received more than 800 children and adults over the summer who safely enjoyed their tennis during the weekly Summer Camp programmes. The size of the Academy (40,000 m2) and its large outdoor areas guarantee the peace of mind of the players and personnel, who are able to move around the facility while maintaining social distance.

For all these reasons, Applus+ has recognised the work carried out in the management of the crisis, which created the huge challenge of getting back to tennis activity while guaranteeing a safe space for both players and staff.

In addition, the Rafa Nadal Sports Centre and the Fitness Sport Time centre (located within the sports facility) have also received the “Safe COVID-19 protocol” seal.