Rafa Nadal Academy padel is adding a major building block to its training project. The centre in Manacor, Mallorca, has announced the launch of its Annual Padel Program, a pathway designed for young players who want to develop in a high-performance setting without putting their education on hold.
Where is the Rafa Nadal Academy? The academy is based in Manacor, on the island of Mallorca, Spain. Its padel offer now includes a year-round programme alongside the camps and short courses already known to players.
This is more than a minor update. Until now, the academy linked to Rafael Nadal was mainly associated, in the sporting imagination, with its tennis model and international camps. With this annual programme, it brings a more structured approach to padel: training, school, residence, physical preparation, mental support and competition planning on the same campus.
An annual programme, not just a padel camp
The difference from a classic camp lies in the duration and the level of support. The Rafa Nadal Academy is not simply offering a few days of intensive training: it is aiming at a season-long pathway, with regular assessments and a daily environment designed for junior athletes.
The programme targets developing players who need to combine training volume, academic standards and competition learning. Admission is based on a sporting, academic and personal evaluation, including a review of padel level and school background.
Rodri Ovide at the heart of the method
The project is built around the methodology of Rodri Ovide, one of the most respected coaches in international padel. The Argentine coach has worked with leading names on the circuit, including Gemma Triay, Juan Lebrón, Paquito Navarro, Martín Di Nenno, Álex Ruiz, Alejandra Salazar and Marta Ortega.
His approach is not about repeating technical patterns. The stated goal is to develop players who can read the game, make decisions under pressure and build their own identity on court.
“It’s not about copying models, but about helping each player discover the best version of themselves.”
The announced content follows that logic: technical and tactical work, individual physical preparation, psychological and nutritional support, video analysis, competition planning and regular evaluations. In short, an environment close to what performance padel already demands.
Sport, studies and residence in Manacor
Players joining the programme will be able to follow an academic pathway at Rafa Nadal School, the international school located on campus, with an accredited American curriculum. That is one of the central points of the project: pursuing a sporting ambition without giving up a structured education.
In terms of facilities, the academy highlights 19 indoor and outdoor padel courts, a performance gym, medical services, physiotherapy, nutritional support and residential areas. The programme also fits into a broader strategy: the development of the Rafa Nadal Academy Padel Tour, involvement in international projects and ambassador roles for Gemma Triay and Franco Stupaczuk.
The launch confirms a deeper trend: padel is entering a phase in which youth development can no longer rely only on isolated sessions or occasional camps. For Rafa Nadal Academy, the challenge is to transfer part of its tennis know-how to padel while respecting the specific demands of a sport that is professionalising very quickly.
