Everything we know about Rafa Nadal Academy, where Alex Eala trained
After tennis star Alex Eala's impressive back-to-back achievements at the 2025 Miami Open, many are eager to know how she developed such extraordinary skills in the sport.
Eala's Les Petits As victory at 12 years old earned her a Rafa Nadal Academy scholarship. At 13, her family made a difficult decision to send her to Mallorca, Spain, where the training led to her 2022 US Open title and WTA Tour success.
Eala acknowledges that the academy, which has been her home for seven years, has helped her reach where she is now. "The academy was able to build on that foundation in such a way that I'm able to be where I am now. And I think the combination of everything that I've been through since I started tennis is what has led to this moment and what has led to me having all these opportunities," she said in an interview.
Apart from her, RNA has also trained other notable tennis players, including Casper Ruud, who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 2 in 2022. Additionally, Alina Korneeva, the 2023 International Tennis Federation junior world No. 1; Martín Landaluce, who achieved the ITF junior combined world No. 1 ranking in 2023; and Jaume Munar, a Spanish professional tennis player, also trained there.
For those seeking top tennis training, here's everything you need to know about the famed tennis training center:
History and programs
The RNA was founded in 2016 by Spanish former professional tennis player Rafael Nadal, with his uncle and longtime coach Toni Nadal serving as the inaugural director.
Per its website, RNA offers training for youth and adults, emphasizing a "unique" and "distinctive" approach based on values inspired by Rafa Nadal.
Its team of coaches aims to "maximize each player’s strengths and bring out the best in each player" through an "elaborate methodology" designed by the technical team.
Along with providing its students with high-performance sports training, they also give education in the classrooms of the Rafa Nadal International School, which has a "rigorous and personalized educational program" accredited by both the Spanish system and by British and American organizations. RNS offers curricula for middle school and high school, as well as AP classes.
Students receive specialized instruction, undergo regular periodic tests, and participate in a comprehensive program that includes co-curricular activities and cultural trips to enhance classroom learning.
Locations and facilities
After establishing its first center in Mallorca, Spain, the RNA has since had numerous training centers built around the world, all of which have been inspired by the training methodology carried out in Mallorca.
Its other locations include Costa Mujeres, Cancún in Mexico, Sani in Greece, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Cairo in Egypt, Marbella in Spain, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Eala graduated specifically from the RNA Mallorca location. According to its website, this branch offers an "ideal environment to complement physical activity with the great gastronomic, cultural and recreational offerings that the island has to offer."
Its facilities include state-of-the-art sports facilities such as tennis, padel, pickleball, beach volleyball and multi-sport courts, a football pitch, a fitness center, and swimming pools. It also has wellness and beauty spaces, as well as an array of restaurants.
There is also a health clinic that "provides a complete and multidisciplinary service to promote sports practice under optimal medical conditions, encourage healthy habits, and deliver high-quality care for potential injuries."
Additionally, the academy offers on-site accommodations for adult and junior trainees. The modern double rooms are touted to provide an "exceptional experience of comfort and security" and are complete with private bathroom, desk, closets, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and heating.
The residence is under 24-hour surveillance and is divided into separate areas according to age and gender. Amenities such as full-board meals prepared in the academy’s kitchen, access to a recreation room with technological entertainment, laundry service, and Wi-Fi Internet connection are also available.
Adult players and families, on the other hand, have two exclusive buildings with spacious rooms, functional furniture, and beds specially designed to favor the rest of the athletes. This space is located a few meters from the academy, in the same sports complex, and shares the same facilities.
Enrollment
The RNA has an admission process where they consider and asses the applications of the players interested in joining the annual and semester program. Among these are tennis level evaluation, evaluation of previous school reports, a boarding meeting with family and players, registration if a place can be offered, and visa application if needed.
The visa falls under the responsibility of the family, but RNA can support with documentation and some guidance.
Francesco Mendom, a former tennis coach at the RNA, told Indie Tenis that enrolling at the academy costs around $60,000 (P3.4 million) a year. For an individual week, it's a little over $2,000 (P114,704).
Explaining the hefty price, Mendom said, "It’s not only for tennis but to give the kids an experience and education that is 360 degrees. So if you were to pay the annual price, you have school included and the classes are not more than 10 to 15 people in a class."
"You have daily tennis lessons with professionals from around the world. Professionals with outstanding leadership and backgrounds from the head coaches at the academy," he added.
To enroll in a Rafa Nadal Academy camp, interested individuals can contact them at [email protected] or register through this link.
Tennis program
Apart from international school programs, RNA also offers a tennis program that prepares players to "make decisions in a shorter period of time and develop and enhance their speed and agility."
Through new technologies, the students will work on all aspects of the game, from technical, strategic, physical, and mental, to ensure they play as competitively as possible. The academy noted, "There's no difference between a training session and a high-level match."
Additionally, the school has designed a tailored tournament schedule based on each participant's age and tennis level. This covers a wide range of options, from local tournaments to national and international challenges, to further enrich the students' skills.
The academy's week-long tennis camps are also available for those who prefer short-term training.
