The magnificent seven of the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar

Seven editions, seven champions. Since its launch in 2018, the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar has built a roll of honour as diverse as it is revealing of the tournament’s role on the ATP Challenger Tour. At the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, the trophy has been lifted by rising young talents ready to take the next step on tour, established players looking to regain confidence, and seasoned competitors with more than enough experience to make the difference over the course of a demanding week.

Seven editions later, the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar can boast seven different champions. Seven names that are now part of its history. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the magnificent seven of the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar.

2018 – Bernard Tomic: the first champion

The inaugural edition of the tournament crowned Australia’s Bernard Tomic, a proven talent who drew on his experience to prevail in a tightly contested final against Germany’s Matthias Bachinger. Tomic came from behind to win 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, becoming the first name on the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar roll of honour. On his way to the title, he defeated players including Mario Vilella, Pedro Cachín and Norbert Gombos, setting the bar high in the tournament’s debut edition.

2019 – Emil Ruusuvuori: the Finnish whirlwind

A year later, the trophy headed to Finland courtesy of Emil Ruusuvuori. The young Finn produced a dominant performance in the final against Matteo Viola, defeating him 6-0, 6-1. That edition was also memorable for the presence of Andy Murray, who was in the midst of his return to competition, and for the participation of a very young Carlos Alcaraz, who was already beginning to show glimpses of the player he would become.

2021 – Lucas Lacko: experience pays off

Following the 2020 hiatus due to the pandemic, the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar returned in 2021 with a thrilling final. Slovakia’s Lucas Lacko, a seasoned tour veteran, called on all his experience to overcome Japan’s Yasutaka Uchiyama 5-7, 7-6, 6-1. His triumph in Manacor carried special significance: it was the final Challenger title of his career, a victory that rewarded his resilience, longevity and ability to compete until the very end.

2022 – Luca Nardi: youthful composure

Italy’s Luca Nardi confirmed his growing confidence and ambition in Manacor. In a closely fought final against Zizou Bergs, Nardi showed impressive competitive maturity to prevail 7-6, 3-6, 7-5. It was his third Challenger title of the year and further cemented his status as a player to watch. In Mallorca, he made it clear that his talent was matched by the character required to come through the most demanding matches.

2023 – Hamad Medjedovic: a rising star

Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic was crowned champion of the fifth edition after defeating France’s Harold Mayot 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. His triumph at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar was much more than just another title: it foreshadowed a superb end to the season, culminating in his victory at the ATP Next Gen Finals. In Manacor, he confirmed his status as one of the tour’s most exciting prospects and added his name to a list of champions with international pedigree.

2024 – Duje Ajduković: a Croatian triumph

The sixth edition had a distinctly Croatian flavour. Duje Ajduković lifted the trophy after a thrilling final against Italy’s Matteo Gigante, coming from behind to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. His week was particularly significant because, on his way to the title, he defeated fellow Croatian Marin Cilic, the 2014 US Open champion and one of the biggest names ever to compete at the tournament. In Manacor, Ajduković secured a prestigious victory that helped further establish him on the tour.

2025 – Daniel Rincón: a homegrown champion

The seventh edition delivered a particularly special story for the tournament. Daniel Rincón, a player developed at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, became champion in Manacor after an unforgettable week. His triumph carried unique significance: not only did he lift the trophy on home soil, but he did so at the very place he first arrived in 2019 as a young boy and where he has built much of his journey as a player.

Rincón added his name to a roll of honour that had previously featured champions from Australia, Finland, Slovakia, Italy, Serbia and Croatia. His victory gave the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar its first Spanish champion and provided one of the most emotional moments in the tournament’s recent history.

Seven editions, seven champions and seven different stories. That is the hallmark of a tournament that has brought together talent, experience, promise and emotion on the same stage. The Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar continues to grow year after year, and its roll of honour has already developed an identity all its own.