Gustavo Marcaccio, new Tennis Director of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar

17.09.2025

RNA Editorial

With the start of the new academic and tennis season, and on the eve of celebrating its ninth anniversary, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar has unveiled its new tennis structure, based on continuity and the DNA that has defined it since its opening in 2016.

Last July, in an emotional farewell, Rafa Nadal publicly thanked Marc Gorriz for his dedication, effort, and commitment as head of tennis at the academy. And this week, Rafa himself welcomed Gustavo Marcaccio as the new Tennis Director, both for the academy in Manacor and for the centers that are part of its international expansion.

After gaining extensive experience on the professional tour, Marcaccio joined the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2021. In addition to coordinating different player groups at the Academy, one of his first major roles was joining the team that managed Jaume Munar’s professional career, working alongside Tomeu Salvà. He later worked with Martín Landaluce’s team, and since 2022 he has been part of Rafa Nadal’s technical team, working closely with him until the Manacor native’s retirement in November 2024.

“Being the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy is a great responsibility, because it means representing Rafa’s vision and legacy in the tennis community. Our main goal is to follow Rafa’s guiding light and leave a mark on every child, every adult, and every professional player who comes through the academy. We must pay attention to every detail, every single day—through our on-court service and our human interaction off the court. And of course, with our student-athletes, we have to keep transmitting Rafa’s drive to combine sports and academics,” said the Argentine coach.

After retiring from the professional circuit, Gustavo Marcaccio gained valuable coaching experience thanks to his successes with Guido Pella, Paula Ormaechea, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Máximo González, and Giovanni Lapentti. However, his greatest recognition as a coach came during his time with Juan Mónaco, whom he helped win 4 ATP titles and reach the Top 10 in the world rankings. Marcaccio has also worked with Argentina’s national team, serving as Vice-Captain of the Davis Cup squad.

“My relationship with Rafa began when I was on the tour. He was a newcomer who had to be watched closely, and he quickly became a star. Yes, later I coached some of his rivals and friends, and that’s how we started building a small relationship. Then he invited me to join the Academy as head coach and also to work with Jaume Munar’s team, before eventually helping him during the last two years of his tennis career,” recalled the Buenos Aires native.

In the new organizational structure, Tomeu Salvà will directly assist Gustavo as Co-Technical Director. Both will be supported by the guidance of Toni Nadal (Academy ambassador), Marc Gorriz (who remains part of the team as technical consultant), and Joel Figueras, head of training.

The academy’s technical staff also includes Anabel Medina, Pedro Clar, and Joan Bosch, who coach some of the Academy’s top ATP and WTA players: Casper Ruud, Alex Eala, Alina Korneeva, and Coleman Wong. In addition, Iván Barrera and Mark Krauss join as heads of junior players, while Álex Praderas will oversee the adult program.

This technical team, made up of around 60 coaches, is complemented by a large group of fitness trainers, physiotherapists, sports psychologists, and nutritionists, who, supported by the Quirón Salud medical team, ensure the daily care of all players—children and adults—enrolled in the academy’s programs. Key figures in Rafa Nadal’s own career, such as Rafael Maymó and Dr. Ángel Ruiz-Cotorro, will play an essential role in advising the Academy’s health department.