Toni Kroos sponsors the ninth graduating class of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar

13.06.2025

RNA Editorial.

Manacor, June 11, 2025. In a ceremony filled with emotional overtones, a total of 52 young students graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, thus concluding their academic and tennis careers at the campus located in Manacor. Accompanied by Toni Kroos, Rafa Nadal presided over the ceremony and addressed the families, teachers, and young students with an inspiring message:

“There is sometimes a false perception that success is only about winning. And I disagree. Success is about learning and improving every day. And to learn every day, you have to make the most of every opportunity you have because every class, every workout, or every conversation is a unique moment to get closer to that daily learning that will bring you closer to success. There are days when you will be tired, unmotivated, or without the desire to study or train. That’s normal, it’s human, and we must live with this feeling, which sometimes holds us back. Don’t feel bad about having this tiredness or lack of motivation. The important thing is to know how to face these moments and be strong. Because on those days when you win the battle against comfort and give your all on the court or in your studies, you will be forging your personality and generating work habits that will be vital to your personal growth. Keep this in mind: The most important thing in your day-to-day life is to do everything possible to reach your full potential. Whoever has the capacity to get a 10 and gets a 10 “You’ll be able to say you’ve achieved your goal. But whoever is capable of rolling a 7 and does so will have achieved the same personal success because they’ll have given their all.”

Former Real Madrid and Germany national team player Toni Kroos was the godfather of a very special event for young tennis players, where he took over from Pau Gasol, David Ferrer, Ona Carbonell, Ricky Rubio, Iga Swiatek, and Carlos Moyá, who accompanied Rafa at his graduations in recent years (Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova did so remotely in 2020). Toni also highlighted Rafa’s own values:

“You can be very grateful that your children were able to study here with Rafa; he’s an example in everything. He was an incredible tennis player, I think there’s no doubt about that. But the most important thing is that he was always a good example. Being a good tennis player doesn’t always mean being a great role model, but he is. Because of his values, his effort, and his kindness. You have the best example here, I think you already know that. And for anyone thinking about coming, this is the right place, because this kid is incredible.”

The 52 students thus complete their time at the Rafa Nadal School, a co-educational Anglo-American international school for children aged 3 to 18 located at the Rafa Nadal Academy. While the original concept of the school was designed to allow the Academy’s tennis players to combine their tennis and academic training, Rafa wanted from the outset to open its doors to all young people in Mallorca, whether they were tennis players or not, so that everyone could benefit from the facilities and the academic program. The Rafa Nadal School has modern, technological, sporty, and comfortable facilities that provide an ideal setting for teaching.

One of the academy’s main objectives is to provide its students with the opportunity to attend a university in the United States or anywhere else in the world, with a tennis and/or academic scholarship.