Rafa Nadal attends the round of 16 at the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar

03.09.2026

ARN Publishing House

The Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar enjoyed a very special day this Thursday with Rafa Nadal in the stands of the Academy’s centre court. The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles didn’t want to miss the round of 16 at the ATP Challenger Tour tournament being played this week in Manacor.

Rafa, accompanied by Javier Soler, sporting director of the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, and Carlos Costa, former player and Nadal’s manager, watched the match between Dani Rincón, the reigning champion and a Rafa Nadal Academy player, and Iñaki Montes-De La Torre, one of the standout matches of the day.

Rafa Nadal’s presence in the stands also has special meaning due to his close ties with the ATP Challenger Tour, the circuit where he won two of his first titles as a professional. In 2003, still just 16, he was crowned champion in Barletta, becoming one of the youngest players in history to win a tournament at this level. Weeks later, at 17, he lifted the trophy again in El Espinar (Segovia). Two titles that proved an important springboard in his career and that now hold a prominent place in the renovated Rafa Nadal Museum.

Since 2018, that connection with the circuit has continued in Manacor through the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar, the ATP Challenger Tour event that each year brings established players and some of the biggest rising stars in international tennis to the Rafa Nadal Academy, such as Andy Murray, Fernando Verdasco, and Carlos Alcaraz.

This eighth edition of the tournament features a strong Rafa Nadal Academy presence, with Ivan Ivanov and Ziga Sesko taking part, along with Dani Rincón. All three players know what it’s like to win a junior Grand Slam title.

The Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar is now entering its decisive days and will run until next Sunday, September 6, when the final will be played.

In addition to the competition, the tournament offers food, music, and activities for children and families throughout the week. This Thursday will see one of the most anticipated events of this edition, ‘The Tie-Break: Wines and Tapas’, a late-afternoon get-together featuring culinary offerings from Grupo Maca de Castro, Santi Taura, La Loba, Übeck, Cassai and Roland-Garros, along with wines from Casa Rojo, Can Axartell, Gallinas i Focas, Ribas, 4 Kilos and Binigrau, plus live music and DJs. As in previous editions, entry to the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar is free, after downloading your ticket via the event’s official website.