The year 2025 marks a historic milestone for the Rafa Nadal Academy

The year 2025 will be remembered as one of the most significant in the history of the Rafa Nadal Academy. The first season following Rafa Nadal’s farewell to professional competition has been a year of consolidation, growth and sporting success, reinforcing the project launched in Manacor and now projected on a truly global scale.

In the junior category, 2025 was once again an exceptional year, confirming the success of the Rafa Nadal Academy’s Annual Program — a flagship initiative that combines tennis training and education and ensures the all-round development of young players. Ivan Ivanov closed the season as world No. 1 in the junior rankings after capturing the Wimbledon and US Open titles, an achievement that raises to 13 the total number of junior Grand Slam titles won by players developed at the Rafa Nadal Academy.

These achievements were complemented by success on the professional circuit, led by Jaume Munar, who produced the best season of his career. He reached a career-high ranking of world No. 36, qualified for the round of 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time — at the US Open — and also played a key role in the Davis Cup ties, where Spain reached the final.

Alongside Munar, Alex Eala enjoyed the finest season of her career. The Filipina claimed her first victory in the main draw of a major, broke into the WTA Top 50 for the first time, captured her maiden WTA title in Guadalajara, finished runner-up in Eastbourne and reached the semifinals of the Miami Open, consolidating her status as one of the most promising players on the tour.

Casper Ruud, meanwhile, savoured the most important triumph of his career this season by being crowned champion of the Mutua Madrid Open, in addition to lifting the title in Stockholm.

The year was also especially significant for Coleman Wong, who recorded his first main-draw victories at a Grand Slam — once again at the US Open — and for Solana Sierra, who made history by becoming the inaugural champion of the Mallorca Women’s Championships and also added the title in Antalya, both WTA 125 events.

The year was also especially significant for Coleman Wong, who recorded his first main-draw victories at a Grand Slam — once again at the US Open — and for Solana Sierra, who made history by becoming the inaugural champion of the Mallorca Women’s Championships and also added the title in Antalya, both WTA 125 events.

The Challenger circuit likewise delivered memorable moments for Academy players. Abdullah Shelbayh claimed a new title in Las Vegas — the second of his career — while Dani Rincón starred in one of the most emotional episodes of the season by winning the Rafa Nadal Open, becoming a prophet in his own land under the watchful eye of Rafa Nadal himself. Martín Landaluce joined them after triumphing at the Orleans Challenger and completing a brilliant season that culminated in qualification for the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

The season also featured important successes on the women’s circuit. Alina Korneeva, coached by Anabel Medina, completed an outstanding year by winning three titles in Bratislava, Évora and Leiria, confirming her steady progression and consistency on the tour.

In September, the Rafa Nadal Academy announced a new structure within its tennis department, built on continuity and on the DNA that has defined the project since its opening in 2016. Rafa himself welcomed Gustavo Marcaccio as the new Director of Tennis, overseeing both the Manacor academy and the centres that form part of its international expansion.

On the institutional front, the Rafa Nadal Academy continued to strengthen its international presence. In 2025, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Marbella was inaugurated — the first to open in Spain — and the launch of the first Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in South America was announced. The new venue, to be located in Porto Bello (Brazil), is scheduled to open in 2028, a strategic step that reinforces the project’s international vocation and commitment to new markets.

One year after Rafa Nadal’s retirement, the Rafa Nadal Academy is not only keeping his legacy alive, but expanding it and projecting it into the future through a combination of sporting success, comprehensive education and international expansion. 2025 has undoubtedly been a historic year. 2025 has undoubtedly been a historic year.