The Rafa Nadal Tour continues in Australia this week, with the globally renowned junior circuit program hitting South Australia from 12-15 July.
The tournament will be held at West Lakes Tennis Club with top seeds including Cruz Hewitt and Sukhi Venkatesh in the 14/u age group, along with Filip Fantasia and Scarlett Dattoli in the 12/u age group.
The program, first introduced to Australia in 2019, has been designed in close collaboration with 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal to offer a competitive playing environment while fostering and educating junior players on the important values of sportsmanship, commitment, fellowship and effort.
The 2021 tour will see events played in every state and territory in Australia, and is run as a Junior Gold or Silver tournament, allowing players to compete for valuable junior ranking points while also learning and participating in set activities aligned with the values of Nadal.
The four winners from each 12/u and 14/u singles event in each city, as well as four winners of the Trophy of Values, will progress to the end of circuit Australian Masters event set to take place in Melbourne in January 2022.
The Trophy of Values are awarded to players from each age group in each city who best embody the values of the Rafa Nadal Tour.
“I am very happy to see the Rafa Nadal Tour 2021 return to every state in Australia,” world No.2 Nadal said when the calendar launched.
“I want to encourage everyone to play under safe conditions and I hope everyone will enjoy the tour, have the chance to make many friends, to compete, and to share great experiences. I wish everyone the best of luck and hope everyone enjoys the event.”
Rafa Nadal Tour Australia Manager David Boyes said the tour presents junior players with a great opportunity to improve their game on and off court.
“Rafa is so highly respected for his behaviour and attitudes on and off the court, as well as being a legend of the game,” Boyes said.
“It’s great to be able to deliver the Rafa Nadal Tour in Australia and really focus on the four values that Rafa embodies in sportsmanship, commitment, fellowship and effort.
“Whilst the tour has a focus on providing healthy, competitive opportunities for our young players, it also places equal importance on building educative values and allowing our players to grow.
“It’s teaching the kids, as they’re at that developmental stage, about doing the right thing and getting them to think about their relationships with other players, the officials, the tournament directors and coaches. That whole fellowship is incredible – everyone is there for the love of tennis.”
The Rafa Nadal Tour has already visited Canberra, Burnie, Perth, Toowoomba and Melbourne this year.
For more information about the Rafa Nadal Tour by Santander visit www.rafanadaltour.com or www.tennis.com.au/rafa-nadal-tour-australia.
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