The Tennis Academy El Cortijo in Telde has been hosting the fifth edition of the Rafa Nadal Tour since this Monday, with nearly 200 participants from across Spain. The tournament combines competition with the transmission of values and charitable purposes.
Telde has become the epicentre of national grassroots tennis since this Monday. The courts of the Tennis Academy El Cortijo are hosting the fifth edition of the Rafa Nadal Tour by Santander, a circuit that brings together nearly 200 young tennis talents from Spain, with a notable representation from the Canary Islands aiming to shine at home.
An event that goes beyond sport
The tournament, officially presented with the presence of institutional representatives and the organisation, has been highlighted for its importance beyond competition. The manager of the Insular Sports Institute of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Leticia López, emphasised the event's impact on promoting grassroots sports and transmitting values such as effort, sacrifice, and responsibility, which are the pillars of Rafa Nadal's career. López also thanked the involvement of the Telde academy and the work done to establish the island as a reference venue.
The councillor for Sports of the City Council of Telde, Cristhian Santana, expressed the municipality's pride in hosting a tournament of this magnitude, describing Telde as
the city of sport. He highlighted that events like this not only promote tennis and the values associated with Rafa Nadal but also generate a positive impact on the municipality's image and economic activity.
Values and solidarity as identity marks
The Rafa Nadal Tour maintains the transmission of values and its commitment to solidarity as its identity marks. The circuit aims to train young athletes not only as tennis players but also as individuals, fostering principles such as humility, respect, and camaraderie. Part of the tournament's resources are allocated to projects of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, using sport as a tool for inclusion and education.
The national director of the circuit, J. F. Fernández, recalled the essence of the tournament as
much more than a tennis competition, highlighting the extraordinary atmosphere, impeccable organisation, and the magnificent response from players and families in Gran Canaria, making this event one of the most special on the calendar.
The tournament director in Gran Canaria, Carlota Molina, highlighted the excellent atmosphere and the comprehensive experience enjoyed by players and families. The sports director, Jorge Sánchez, stressed the growing prestige of the circuit at the national level, with a notable representation from the Canary Islands aiming to perform well.
Intense competition until Saturday
Following the presentation event, the competition began with the first matches of the main draws in the under-12 and under-14 boys' categories, and the under-16 girls' category, played on the hard courts of the Tennis Academy El Cortijo. The young tennis players, many accompanied by their families, are experiencing an event that combines sporting demands with an atmosphere of camaraderie and learning.
The competition will continue with the round of 16 on Wednesday, the quarter-finals on Thursday, the semi-finals on Friday, and the finals on Saturday, solidifying Gran Canaria as a benchmark for national grassroots tennis. For local fans, it is a unique opportunity to see the future stars of Spanish tennis in action, some of whom may follow in the footsteps of the very Rafa Nadal.
And while the young players dream of emulating the man from Manacor, Telde demonstrates that grassroots sports not only shapes champions but also valuable individuals. Hopefully, this example will spread.
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