Rafael Nadal: ‘Humble gladiator’ to Teach the Secrets of His Tennis Success

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His on-court persona is all gladiator aggression — bulging biceps, pumping fists, and ferocious forehands.

But is this the real Rafael Nadal?
You’ll find a different picture if you visit a small town on a sun-kissed Mediterranean island.
“Mallorca and Manacor is my life,” Nadal tells CNN’s Open Court show. “This is where I have all the people that I really love — family, friends, everybody.
“The island is just amazing and I love the sea. I love the calm. Here I can find all these things.”
While other tennis stars such as Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka make their base in the glamorous surrounds of places like Monaco, Nadal escapes the glare of the world media’s attention by returning to his tranquil birthplace.
And now he’s inviting a new generation of players to share that experience, with the launch of his tennis academy in Manacor.
Roger Federer (right) helped Nadal open his academy in Manacor on October 19, 2016.
Roger Federer (right) helped Nadal open his academy in Manacor on October 19, 2016. 
“I don’t know if it’s going to be my last academy, but for me the most important thing is to build the first one here,” Nadal added as he unveiled an accompanying new sports center ahead of Wednesday’s main opening — where his great rival Roger Federer was the star guest. 
“It’s where I live, where I’m going to live, and it’s the only chance to really be involved with the project. Having the academy here, I’m here every day so I can see, I can be close to the kids, I can be close to the coaches. I can really enjoy all the process.”
Source: CNN.COM

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