MALLORCA’S TENNIS ISLAND

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA HEADS UP FIRST WTA MALLORCA OPEN TENNIS TOURNAMENT, JUNE 13-19.

RAFAEL NADAL TO OPEN NEW SPORTS ACADEMY

TIM HENMAN CONFIRMS ATP LEGENDS CUP, PALMA, OCTOBER 6^TH.

The first WTA Mallorca Open Tennis Tournament will take place at the new Santa Ponsa Tennis Club from June 13-19^th this year and is set to become Mallorca’s premier sporting event.

Last year the international professional tennis calendar was extended to a three week grass court swing between the French Open and Wimbledon.  The Mallorca Open will join Birmingham in the second week of the grass court swing totalling five WTA grass court events.  However, the WTA Mallorca Open will be the first grass court event worldwide to offer floodlit night sessions and is regarded as ideal preparation for The Championships in Wimbledon.

Garbiñe Muguruza, who has just won the Roland Garros in Paris and reached the women’s final of Wimbledon in 2015 against Serena Williams, will lead the international players at the first WTA Mallorca Open grass court tournament leading into Wimbledon. 

The location for the tournament is the new Santa Ponsa Tennis Club which features a Centre Court for 3,500 spectators and five grass courts, plus seven clay and three hardcourts. The clubhouse not only features an exclusive pool area, but also a superb roof terrace from where matches can be seen.   The Championships Wimbledon, are advising the event organisers on the quality of the grass courts and facilities so that the WTA Mallorca Open provides the same high standards and quality required and expected by international players.

Ticket prices start at 30 Euros per person with special rates for children, students and the disabled: http://tickets.wtamallorca.com/11291-mallorca/

NEW!  RAFAL NADAL ACADEMY OPENS JUNE

The most famous Mallorcan tennis champion of all time, Rafa Nadal, has transformed his training base into a high-performance academy where, together with his team, he will develop young tennis players. The Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar will open its doors on June 19^th, 2016.

Located in Manacor (central Mallorca), Rafa Nadal’s home town, the Academy combines tennis and education so that students can continue their pathway to professional tennis without having to neglect their academic studies. The Academy has its own training system based on the experience acquired by Rafa and his technical team during his years on the ATP circuit, and including the values that have been fundamental to his achievements and success.

The Academy’s team comprises of a group of experienced coaches, directed by Toni Nadal, and by other professionals that have accompanied Rafa throughout his sporting career. The team in which the champion has always trusted is actively involved and has an important role in the Academy, which aims to maximise the potential of every player so that they have the opportunity to become a professional tennis player without having to abandon their studies.

A range of courses are available to students from all over the world.  The summer courses, which start from June 19^th, include transfers from the airport, accommodation, food, 22 hours of tennis coaching, plus physical and mental preparation, language classes, leisure activities, medical attention and physiotherapy (if required), registration with the Spanish Tennis Federation if playing in competition. Fees start at 2,100 Euros per student per week. www.rafanadalacademy.com

 ATP LEGENDS CUP WILL BE HOSTED IN PALMA FOR SECOND YEAR

 The 2016 Legends Cup Tournament will be hosted at Palma Sports & Tennis Club for the second year running from the 6^th – 10^th October.   The Legends Cup Tournament is part of the exclusive ATP Champions Tour event and features the ATP Champions Tour which is a circuit of former World No.1’s, Grand Slam singles champions and finalists, and Davis Cup winners to provide an exciting and highly entertaining event for the club.    Tim Henman is one of the first players to confirm his attendance for this year’s event.  The Legends Cup is part of the ATP Champions Tour celebrated in only eight cities worldwide. Information: www.reyesdeltenis.com.

The Palma Sport & Tennis Club was originally built by the prestigious Catalan architect, Francesc Mitjans, who also designed the Barcelona Football Ground, Camp Nou.  Last year it opened further to a major refurbishment by the Swedish owners of the Hotel Portixol (Palma) and the Esplendido Hotel in Puerto Soller.  The Club features five clay tennis courts, a swimming pool, spa, gymnasium and restaurant and occupies a total area of 10,000 square metres providing a green oasis in the heart of Palma’s city centre. Membership is available on a daily, weekly, monthly or annual basis. http://palmatennis.com/