Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Thursday, June 13, 2024
Photo credits: Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar
The master of clay gave an inspirational speech on the special day.
Graduates of Rafa Nadal Academy Class of 2024 they were treated with double the dose of national advice no. 1.
Watch: Federer’s Dartmouth Commencement Speech Goes Viral
22-year-old Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal spoke to the graduates, their families and teachers in a moving speech promoting the importance of hard work, humility and persistence in pursuing goals.
In an emotional ceremony, a total of 52 young students graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, completing their tennis education at the campus in Manacor.
As is now tradition, Rafa Nadal presided over the event and spoke to families, teachers and young students with an inspiring message:
“Roger and I both agree on something that we believe is very important. How would we like to be remembered in a few years. How do we want future generations to think of us?
“We are both sure of our answers. It is nice that our achievements, titles and records are recognized but that is an education because as the years go by it is possible that someone else will come and do better.
“What matters is what will always be remembered. Therefore, Roger and I agree that we would like to be remembered as good people.
“We live in a society that emphasizes the WHAT and the NOW above all else. But I like to emphasize the importance of the HOW.
“When you’re at university or on the tennis court, ask yourself from time to time ‘How would I like my classmates to remember me?’ And my teachers? My friends?
“Since this word is in fashion now, I could tell you to try to be KINGS in your area, but I prefer the word LEADERS. People around you should see you as a person to be copied because of their values.”
Former world No. 1, 1998 French Open champion and longtime Nadal coach Carlos Moya was the guest speaker at a very special event for young tennis players, following in the footsteps of Pau Gasol, David Ferrer, Ona Carbonell, Ricky Rubio and Iga Swiatek all of whom have joined Rafa in graduation ceremonies in recent years (Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova did so from afar in 2020).
Moyà highlighted Rafa Nadal’s personality and values as the keys to his continued success in his speech to the students:
“When I started working with Rafa, one thing that worried me was what our relationship would be like.
“I’ve known him since he was 11 years old and I’ve been watching him grow from different situations. We’ve been through a lot of situations together on and off the court.
“He was a friend in practice sessions and parties (we had and had the right to have fun), a friend, Davis Cup winners together and perhaps my most amazing memory on the tennis court, opponents, doubles teammates… that and more.
“But in my work with him, sometimes I look hard for him, listen to others, share, go together, win, lose, have a hard time when injured… I must say that in my life I have never felt a lack of respect for myself or any member of the team, and that’s almost impossible to find these days. If you watch sports on TV you’ll see what I’m talking about.
For the 52 students, the event marked the end of their time at the Rafa Nadal School, an Anglo-American international co-educational school for children aged 3 to 18 located within the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Although the original concept of the school was designed for tennis players at the Learning Center to combine their tennis training with academic education, Rafa Nadal always wanted to open the doors to all the youth of Mallorca, tennis players or otherwise, so that all could benefit. from institutions and the education system.
This approach allows tennis players on campus to share classes with other students, fostering meaningful exchanges and academic and cultural experiences.
The Rafa Nadal Academy says that the Rafa Nadal School “has modern, comfortable and technical sports fields that provide an ideal environment for learning. One of the main goals of this institution is to give students the opportunity to access universities in the USA and anywhere else in the world, through a tennis and/or academic scholarship to so far, 100% of tennis students who have graduated and plan to go to the USA to study, have been accepted and received scholarships at American universities.
Photo credits: Rafa Nadal Academy
