Making the most of the final stretch of the season, Rafa Nadal paid a visit to the Academy players’ training sessions, taking an interest in their growth in the game and as people. Accompanied by Toni, Director of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, Rafa saw for himself the progress of the young talent who are still training in Manacor.

Rafa also spoke to Gabriel Urpí, who is responsible for the WTA players at the Academy. Last Friday, Gabi, whose extensive career saw him coach Arantxa, Conchita and Penneta, among other players, responded to Rafa’s concerns about the development of the players, explaining how the last few weeks of training had transpired since the return to the courts.

With the school year over, the players at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar are still fine tuning their games before returning to competition or starting their well-earned holidays before returning to Mallorca for the start of the next school year.

The players of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar enjoyed a very special opportunity getting to play against Rafa Nadal and Carlos Moya in an unforgettable day. Through a doubles matches system, Nadal and Moya faced the Academy players demanding the maximum level and getting a smile from them during this competition in which everyone participated.

At the same time, the players from the Academy got to play against the professional players Jaume Munar and Caroline García, who are training to get back to the official competition. 

The 2008 Wimbledon final marked a turning point in the rivalry between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. It was the first time the Spaniard had come out on top of a duel on a surface that had been unmercifully dominated by the Swiss since 2003. That Sunday 6 July not only ended a 65-match streak on grass for Federer, it also made Nadal the first player from his country to lift the golden cup to the London skies since Manolo Santana did so in 1966. From that moment, Nadal looked a strong favourite to take over the world number one spot, something he would achieve just one month later. Many consider this match to be the greatest of all time. What do you think?

In 2003, the grass of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London became the first courts to be graced by Nadal at a Grand Slam. Since debuting with victory against Mario Ancic that year, he has won 53 of the 65 matches he has played there. In addition, he has won the championship twice, in 2008 and 2010. Here is a selection of the 10 best points he played in his appearance at the tournament last year. Which is your favourite?