Tennis Super Fan's Review of Rafa Nadal Academy

My Road to Rafa - Summer 2023
Join Rafa Nadal's Summer Camps (USA, Spain)

*Happy Birthday to Rafa! Week of 6/4!*
"MADNESSRAFA" = 25% OFF

    Valid on all EducaTennis Camps. One per person. Limited time only.
    For many years, I walked this "Camino on Clay" as a journey to Rafa's homeland.
    Now I can help Rafa fans with my road map - so every tennis pilgrim can find their way.

    The King of Clay, his Crowns, and international tennis fans gather in Mallorca this Summer.
    Watch Tennis on Grass @ ATP 250 Mallorca Championships near the end of June!

    My Summer in Spain - visiting the RNA team at the Madrid Open and their coaches.

    Marc Lopez is the most friendly coach of all.
    He was even honored at the retirement ceremony award with Feliciano!

    Barcelona and Mallorca are perfect for young adults!
    Highly recommend a Summer in Spain Vacation.

    Sample Daily Schedule for Junior Camps

    Daily Schedule for Junior Camp  - includes a UTR tournament

    2023 Avanza - Rafa Summer Camps with top junior prize*
    Atlanta Juniors / Atlanta Adults and 
    New Orleans Juniors are still available

    Use "JCJUNIORS" or "JCADULTS" for 10% OFF

    Camps sold out last year in a few weeks!

    *The most talented player of each camp who best exemplify Rafa’s values will be selected for a free Week-long camp at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain. The organization will cover the cost of the accommodation and the training camp (flights are not included).

    The Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Mallorca

    My visit to Mallorca in April-May at the Rafa Nadal Academy was my lifetime bucket list tennis experience. I flew AirEuropa from Barcelona Open to Palma and 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.

    Must-see sights for any Rafa Fan!

    User reviews from TripAdvisor.
    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!

    - Best week rates available (must add promo code "JCTENNIS")
    *Book at least 1-2 months ahead to get your best rooms.

    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, all 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 there are even indoor clay courts! Update later.

    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:

    • 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*

    2023 Avanza Summer Camps in AtlantaLos Angeles, and New Orleans are still available

    Use "JCTENNIS" or "JCTENNISADULTS" for 10% OFF

    Camps sold out last year in a few weeks!

    The top junior selected from each camp gets a free trip to Mallorca!
    Rancho Valencia is the training grounds of Brandon Nakashima
    2022 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 - plan 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.

    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* (refer by JC)

    USA Summer Camps with RNA coaches in America

    Hope to meet you in person and invite you to join our Rafa Tennis Family.

    In 2022, I visited the San Diego camp, and my friend's son played in the DC/Baltimore camp. The Junior program is both excellent and high-intensity. Several local kids I interviewed loved it and said you get much more individualized attention and many balls to drill.

    Kids at the camp say they love the small class size and lots of repetition - "Coach Nico is the best".

    RafaNadalAcadmeyUSA - Bonus for Avanza Junior Camps
    • First 50 people to register at each camp can win Rafa autographed gear.
    • Top junior at each camp gets selected to train at Mallorca, Spain!
    • Promo codes: "JCJUNIORS" = $100 off Juniors | "JCADULTS" = $50 off Adults

    Rancho Valencia - home of the ATP NextGen Champion (Brandon Nakashima)

    Most camps were sold out within a few weeks. The adults camp has more 3.0-4.0s and mostly older adults. As shown in the photo above, during warmups in the early afternoon session.

    But this year it will be held 8-10AM, so better players will sign up and report back on camp conditions for 2023.


    Rafa Nadal Family and Academy Team

    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.

    Masters 1000 Clay Trophies at the Rafa Nadal Academy Museum

    Get my discount on rooms with code: JCTENNIS




    Barcelona Open with Rafael NadalJust 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.

    Follow Rafael Nadal's journey
    from Spain to the French Open



    Every day I was there, it was a beautiful paradise. Comparable to Hawaii and Maui - this island was the Spanish version of a historic land yet brimming with its small village charm. So calming on the water.

    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 gives fans at home some ideas 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 which looks like a Spanish version of the Great Wall of China!

    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!


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