Tennis Star Rafael Nadal Proposes Tennis Academy In South Florida

Rafael Nadal, the world’s top-ranked tennis player and the winner of 16 Grand Slam titles, have decided to establish a tennis training academy in Boca Raton. As the first academy outside of his hometown in Mallorca, Spain, this would host student training and tournaments, with the possibilities of attracting sports tourists who would love to train with the tennis superstar.

This proposal is still in its early stages, but the project would total 82,882 square feet in the first phase and 61,085 square feet in the second phase.

The site proposal plan was submitted by Architect David Iglesias Serret in Spain to the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Parks District in February. Nadal’s academy would be located at Patch Reef Park at 2000 Yamato Road.

The financial agreement of the deal have not been presented, and it’s unclear whether Nadal’s group plans planned to buy or lease the land from the park. The southern part of the property would be used for the tennis academy, replacing 16 existing tennis courts and a cluster of trees. Other features of the park, including the football fields, baseball fields, and basketball courts would remain as they are.

The preliminary site plan for the academy includes 37 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, with both hard courts and clay courts – Nadal’s favorite playing surface.

The two-story building would be used for a gym, locker rooms, a sports shop, training rooms, administrative offices, and a restaurant.

Arthur Koski, executive director of the park’s district, couldn’t be reached for comment. The proposal is yet to be voted by the park’s district.