Hello, everyone! It’s me again, Dmitry. After my post about my first international tournament, you bombarded me with questions: “Where do you train?” “What’s it like to be at the Nadal Academy?”
Okay, I’ll spill the beans. I study and train here: rafanadalacademy.com.
Yes, it’s Rafael Nadal’s Academy in his native Mallorca. And it’s not just a tennis school — it’s a whole vibe. It’s like training and living in a huge sports camp where everyone is obsessed with one idea: to play better than yesterday!
A typical day (if there is such a thing)
My weekdays are full of challenges and hype:
Morning: We wake up early. Very early. First, physical training. Even if you’re a star on the court, without a strong body, you won’t get anywhere in modern tennis. This includes running, weight training, and stretching. And yes, it hurts, but it’s awesome!
School: I don’t just play here, I also study. The academy has its own international school. And that’s cool because the lessons are adapted to our schedule. For example, if you have an important tournament, the teachers help you catch up on the material. You can’t just be muscles, your head has to work too!
Court: This is the “sacred” part of the day. Here we work on our strokes, tactics, and play sparring matches. The courts here are just perfect. And the coaches… They don’t just teach, they live tennis. They demand 200% effort, just like Rafa!
Evening: Recovery (swimming pool, physiotherapy) and, of course, hanging out with the guys. Players from all over the world gather here — Spain, the US, Japan. It’s a constant exchange of experiences and new friends.
Rafa! Have you seen him?
That’s the most common question! Yes, Rafa is here sometimes. When he comes, the atmosphere changes. He might just walk onto the court, watch us train, or say a few words. It’s incredibly motivating! You realize that you’re not just training here, you’re breathing the same air as a legend.
Why do I like it here? There’s no time to get bored. Everyone is focused on progress 24/7. It’s not just training, it’s Nadal’s philosophy: discipline, respect, and fighting for every ball until the very end.
If you dream of playing big tennis, this is the place where dreams turn into a tough but honest plan of action.
P.S. Who wants more trash talk from our training sessions? Put in the comments!
This is awesome. thanks for sharing!