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The Art of Outstanding Tennis, Rafa-style

The Art of Outstanding Tennis, Rafa-style
Rafa Nadal will not be making an appearance in Lakeville for the June tennis camp offered by the Rafa Nadal Academy; and probably the academy’s leader, coach Toni Nadal, won’t make it either. But the tennis instruction will be in the Nadal model. This photo of Rafa and “Uncle Toni” is from Wimbledon, 2014. 
Photo by Shaida Jacobs

Fans of the Spanish tennis great will be disappointed that Rafael Nadal will not come in person to the week-long Rafa Nadal Tennis Camp in Lakeville, Conn., this July.

“No, Rafa won’t be there,” camp organizer David Evans said apologetically when asked the question by email. “Maybe Uncle Toni,” he offered helpfully, referring to longtime coach (and uncle) Toni Nadal. He was kidding.

While tennis fans won’t have the thrill of seeing the handsome sports superstar, they can get a little piece of what made Nadal famous at the camp, which offers training for juniors and adults.

The camp will be held at The Hotchkiss School from July 5 to 9 and promises 38 hours of training in “modern and creative tennis — an attractive, technically/tactically skilled, forward-playing game.”

Training is mainly for players with tennis experience, although there are also private lessons available. The main focus is on serious players from ages 10 to 18. There is a high-performance program that meets daily from 4 to 7 p.m. (girls who participate need a Universal Tennis Ranking of 6, boys need a minimum of 7).

Programs for adults in doubles and singles are offered for 1.5 hours each on two days; private lessons are also available.

“The coaches all come from the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain,” Evans said. And yes, Uncle Toni oversees the coaching methodology for the camp.

There should be enough staff to ensure that only four players are in each training group with a single coach.

 

The Rafa Nadal Academy at The Hotchkiss School runs from July 5 to 9 and costs $995. Find out more at www.athena.rafanadalacademycamps.com/tennis-clinics-connecticut.

Cynthia Hochswender

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