Road to Rafa | Super-Fan Tour Guide
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| Rafa Nadal Statue in front of Mallorca's Stadium Court |
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| View the Summer Camp Photos |
Now I am showing Rafa fans my road map.
Helping every tennis pilgrim find their way.
The King of Clay, all his Crowns, and Rafa fans gather in Mallorca
Fans can also watch Tennis on Grass: ATP 250 Mallorca Championships near the end of June!
My Summer in Spain. Visiting the RNA team and their coaches at the Madrid Open.
- ATP Barcelona: Behind-the-Scenes
- "Super-Fan" Photos | Enjoy the Art, History, Food, and Culture
- How to Visit Rafa's Hometown of Manacor. A vacation in Mallorca
- Visit Tennis Camps with Spain's RNA coaches around the World
Marc Lopez is the most friendly coach of all.
He was honored at the Madrid retirement ceremony award with Feliciano!
Barcelona and Mallorca are perfect for young adults!
Highly recommend a Summer in Spain Vacation.
Highly recommend a Summer in Spain Vacation.
Rafa Nadal Tennis Camps in the USA
Limited Spaces remain for 2024:
Checkout with code "JCTENNIS" for the special deal!
Rafa Nadal Academy camp info
Rafa Nadal Academy camp info
Mallorca Championships 250: Pre-Wimbledon Tennis on Grass!
My visit to Mallorca in April-May at the Rafa Nadal Academy was my lifetime bucket list tennis experience. Traveled from Barcelona Open to Palma and then drove to Mallorca for the Rafa Academy and Museum Experience. When you get there, be sure to tell the staff you are a guest of JCtennis.Visiting Mallorca in June-July?
I highly recommend seeing the ATP 250 on Grass at Mallorca Championships. Many pros believe this is the best Wimbledon preview tournament, including Tsitsipas. The tournament director is Uncle Toni.
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| The champion in 2023 was Chris Eubanks, who won his first ATP title. |
As a GT alum, I was very excited to watch the 3rd set tiebreaker along with great tennis fans and next to his team from Atlanta. Chris then advanced to the QF of Wimbledon 2023 - the last ATP American in London.
The Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Mallorca
Must-see tennis sights for any Rafa Fan! Padel, Clay, Hard Courts.
- Adult Tennis Programs: with Half-week and Weekend options,
Get 10% OFF with code "JCTENNIS" for your room.
Get 10% OFF with code "JCTENNIS" for your room.
Get an additional 20% OFF during May-June!
- One full-week stay can be less than $1000 per room! Book Now.
Plan a family and friends vacation around tennis to visit Rafa!
- One full-week stay can be less than $1000 per room! Book Now.
Plan a family and friends vacation around tennis to visit Rafa!
- Best week rates available (must add promo code "JCTENNIS")
I've been a huge Rafa fan for over a decade. So I booked a pit stop to Mallorca between my trip to the Barcelona Open and the Madrid Open via Air Europa.
Several top pros had the same idea: stopping in Manacor for clay-court training before the French Open!
Nadal Family and Coaching Team
I visited Uncle Toni, Carlos, and the Nadal Academy Coaches Team. My room was just down the hall from Naomi Osaka's team. She was quite timid and shy, though. Seemed she wanted to avoid attention.
The top junior selected from each camp gets a free trip to Mallorca!
Rancho Valencia is the training grounds of Brandon Nakashima
(ATP NextGen Milan and San Diego Open Champion)
The scenic countryside, with its windmills and small traffic circles, is peaceful. Most tiny cars, including Rafa's old Kia, are miniature in size yet very nimble. Speed limits top out around 100kmph - yet you can go from coast to coast in a little over an hour. I recommend renting a car but be prepared that it will likely be a manual transmission.
The Road to Rafa - planning a visit to Uncle Toni and Rafa in Mallorca!
Enjoy a Tennis Vacation while learning about its multicultural heritage and history.
NY Times Article: How to spend 36 hours in Mallorca
Small packs of bicycle riders will dot the small country roads early in the morning, riding in tandem.
Guilliam at the front desk and Eva at the Spa were the most helpful. They are the most friendly and knowledgeable staff I have ever met at any tennis resort - I highly recommend them.
*Book at least 1-2 months ahead to get your best rooms.
- Recent user reviews from TripAdvisor and availability.
- Recent user reviews from TripAdvisor and availability.
I've been a huge Rafa fan for over a decade. So I booked a pit stop to Mallorca between my trip to the Barcelona Open and the Madrid Open via Air Europa.
Several top pros had the same idea: stopping in Manacor for clay-court training before the French Open!
Nadal Family and Coaching Team
I visited Uncle Toni, Carlos, and the Nadal Academy Coaches Team. My room was just down the hall from Naomi Osaka's team. She was quite timid and shy, though. Seemed she wanted to avoid attention.
RNA guests were served fresh meals for breakfast and dinner.
The facilities include many fitness classes available all day. Yoga, Pilates, Cycling, and all are very family friendly!
The adult tennis program also had access to hard courts. The gym, indoor pool, and spa sauna are of the highest quality. The clay courts are just a short walk away, with pro and junior programs half of the academy. Now, with indoor clay courts!
The facilities include many fitness classes available all day. Yoga, Pilates, Cycling, and all are very family friendly!
The adult tennis program also had access to hard courts. The gym, indoor pool, and spa sauna are of the highest quality. The clay courts are just a short walk away, with pro and junior programs half of the academy. Now, with indoor clay courts!
For 3 days, I felt so lucky to train and play tennis next to the now 22-time grand slam champion.
Joining the Adult Tennis players, you get to live and breathe tennis 24/7 or even play in a tennis tournament:
Joining the Adult Tennis players, you get to live and breathe tennis 24/7 or even play in a tennis tournament:
- We train, eat, and sleep on the same campus. Watch and play tennis together each day.
- Stay next to the top ATP and WTA pros like Naomi Osaka and Rafael Nadal!
- Hard Court plus Clay Courts with lessons available. Padel and Indoors, too.
Rafa Nadal Academy USA
Camps for Juniors and Adults in America
Actual coaches from the RNA Academy will fly to the USA to teach you the Rafa Nadal tennis method.
Adults: evenings. 2 hours per day x 4 days =
8 hours for ~$500 (best for 3.0 to 3.5 players)
Juniors: mornings and afternoons. 6 hours per day x 5 days
= 30+ hours for ~$900 (best deal with the coupon)Note: some junior camps are already *sold out*
Camps for Juniors and Adults in America
Actual coaches from the RNA Academy will fly to the USA to teach you the Rafa Nadal tennis method.
Adults: evenings. 2 hours per day x 4 days =
8 hours for ~$500 (best for 3.0 to 3.5 players)
8 hours for ~$500 (best for 3.0 to 3.5 players)
Juniors: mornings and afternoons. 6 hours per day x 5 days
= 30+ hours for ~$900 (best deal with the coupon)
= 30+ hours for ~$900 (best deal with the coupon)
Note: some junior camps are already *sold out*
Rancho Valencia is the training grounds of Brandon Nakashima
(ATP NextGen Milan and San Diego Open Champion)
Visiting Rafa's Hometown of Manacor and the Beautiful Sights around the Island
The scenic countryside, with its windmills and small traffic circles, is peaceful. Most tiny cars, including Rafa's old Kia, are miniature in size yet very nimble. Speed limits top out around 100kmph - yet you can go from coast to coast in a little over an hour. I recommend renting a car but be prepared that it will likely be a manual transmission.
The Road to Rafa - planning a visit to Uncle Toni and Rafa in Mallorca!
Enjoy a Tennis Vacation while learning about its multicultural heritage and history.
Small packs of bicycle riders will dot the small country roads early in the morning, riding in tandem.
The local villagers are very friendly and helpful in sharing their traditions and culture. I made a lot of friends among the other Adult tennis program attendees.
The new indoor clay courts are even better! Can't wait to return again.
I encourage all my tennis readers to visit Spain for the best Tennis Player Experience.
Get my exclusive stackable 10% discount when you book any package at the Rafa Academy.
*There is even a unique Roger Federer and 2-bedroom Family Suites* (JC)
Rafa Nadal Family and Academy Team
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I have seen the Rafa Nadal Academy booth at nearly every major tournament. In 2018 at Monte-Carlo, I was recommended to try in the Spring or Fall when the camp is less crowded with kids.
For years, I have reviewed tennis resorts, camps, and academies where I have personally trained myself.
I visited in 2019. They offer many kids' summer camps and adult tennis-playing vacations. Most coaches and staff also speak English fluently, and I found several British staff working there.
Guilliam at the front desk and Eva at the Spa were the most helpful. They are the most friendly and knowledgeable staff I have ever met at any tennis resort - I highly recommend them.
The facilities are world-class. The gym, pools, and spa amenities (sauna, ice bath, steam room, jacuzzi, and several hot tubs) are included in the lodging package.
The tennis programs can be customized along with specific workout classes available almost every hour during the day into the evening. Playing tennis on the red clay usually requires a private lesson (around 100 Euros per hour), but there are plenty of hard courts for practice too.
My half-board package included a buffet breakfast and a 3-course dinner with several choices. The fresh fruit options, and I had a whole portion of codfish. The best part is the dining area overlooks a beautiful sunrise and sunset with floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the tennis courts.
The tennis programs can be customized along with specific workout classes available almost every hour during the day into the evening. Playing tennis on the red clay usually requires a private lesson (around 100 Euros per hour), but there are plenty of hard courts for practice too.
My half-board package included a buffet breakfast and a 3-course dinner with several choices. The fresh fruit options, and I had a whole portion of codfish. The best part is the dining area overlooks a beautiful sunrise and sunset with floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the tennis courts.
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| Masters 1000 Clay Trophies at the Rafa Nadal Academy Museum Get my discount on rooms with code: JCTENNIS  Just as Rafael told me in the hallway to the gym, Mallorca is a beautiful island when the weather is nice. I have to agree with him 100%! May through September is the perfect temperature. The cost of staying at the Academy is hardly much more than that of a typical hotel, ~$150/night.
Highly recommend taking a Spring/Summer vacation to Spain (family or solo) Tennis fans should consider seeing the Barcelona Open 500 or the Madrid Open 1000. Make your Spanish Vacation with Tennis complete. I can offer the memorable VIP experience you will remember for the rest of your life - combine the Rafa Academy while Rafa is on the European clay tour. Mention the special "JCTENNIS" rate. Hopefully, my trip will give fans at home some ideas on how to plan their journey one day through Spain and beyond! Mallorca Highlights I love the giant church in the center of Manacor at sunrise. It's a short 5-minute drive from the Academy to the town center. You can also explore the warm, white sands of Cala Agulla Beach.Finally, one of the hidden gems for adventurous hikers is the Castle of Capdepera ramparts which reminds me of a Spanish version of the Great Wall! Returning to the beautiful, large suite room with full showers gives you the experience of a Nike Locker Room. It is a delightful experience to have a sunset buffet dinner to finish the day. Definitely a 10 out of 10! |