Latest news with #RafaNadalAcademy
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Maaya wins her first ITF Junior tennis title on European clay
Pune: It might be just another title in the junior tennis circuit, but for Maaya Rajeshwaran Revathi, the trophy in the Grade 2 ITF event in Gladbeck, Germany, on Saturday was quite significant. The 16-year-old from Coimbatore, who set the courts on fire in the WTA 125 Mumbai Open by reaching the semifinals as an unranked, wildcard qualifier in February, defeated Switzerland's Noella Manta 6-2, 6-4 to capture her seventh title in the juniors. For once, the title was her first on European clay, a rare achievement for an Indian. She also finished runner-up in doubles in the company of Australian Koharu Nishikawa. Then, there is the context: It was her first week in action after the first-round loss in the qualifying of the French Open junior championships. "It definitely does matter to me a lot, because it's my first title in Europe as well (besides being on clay)," Maaya said after her win. "And I've been training on clay for the last one month, non-stop. I mean, with visa delays and all of that, I couldn't perform that well in the French even though I prepared very well," she said, referring to reaching Paris only hours before her match at Roland Garros. "But I'm happy to win the title on clay because I think there were so many people who were putting in the effort for me to train well on clay. I think that showed up. Yeah, I'm very happy that I had an opportunity to show that it worked." Maaya had won a Grade 1 junior event in January in New Delhi. So how would she rate her Grade 2 win in Europe? "It has been a while since I competed well in the first place. I think the last tournament that I played well was in Malaysia, probably a couple of months ago," she said. "So, for me, this is the last tournament on clay (this season), and it's a very positive finish to the clay season and to go on (to) grass. That is one thing. "And in India, I think over every tournament, my level was improving a little bit. Every match has been a learning, so I've been gradually climbing up the ladder. I think that's a very positive sign." Maaya trains at the prestigious Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. The association began as an ad-hoc arrangement sometime in the middle of last year and a deal was officially signed in November. "The more I train with professional players, the more I'm surrounded by professional people, I'm learning to be a bit more professional," she said. "I think one of the main things is that you get really motivated. For example, I see a tennis match, a Grand Slam final, I'm like, I'm gonna go tomorrow and smack the ball. But you see a positive example in front of you every single day, that really motivates you. I think that motivation is very important, and I'm happy that I'm getting it." Maaya has trained outside India at various places earlier but Mallorca feels different in an ironic way. "This is a bit different because I haven't stayed at a place for a very long time outside India. And I'm studying here as well. So this feels a bit more like home now. I am kind of used to the place." Home but without friends. Constant travel to tournaments means she is not missed much by her school-mates. "Half of the school doesn't even know me. I'm hardly here. They know my name, but they don't know me in person." In keeping with the harsh realities of the sport, Maaya won't have time to celebrate her win either. "No, I have to, like rest, get back to training on Monday, because I have to go to London on Tuesday," where she is scheduled to play her next (Grade 1 junior) tournament in Roehampton. "I've never played on grass before, so it will be the first time for me." Knowing her ability to adapt to tough conditions, one can be sure Maaya will be slicing and volleying her way to more success.
Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Times
My visit to Rafael Nadal's state-of-the-art Mallorca tennis academy
Before his retirement Rafael Nadal would usually be bounding about on the clay courts of Paris at this time of year in preparation for the French Open. These days, you will find him in Mallorca keeping up his post-career fitness in the corner of a gym alongside some members of the public who are (respectfully) not quite so trim. Even at the height of his two-decades-long career, it has often been said that Nadal would casually blend in with the rest of the population at home in the small town of Manacor. Within minutes of The Times parking up outside the Rafa Nadal Academy there is proof. Walking towards the entrance, we immediately catch sight of one of tennis's greats, with little fuss, through the
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Rafael Nadal experiencing hair loss? His new social media post raises concerns
Credit: X/ Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal , one of the biggest names in tennis and an icon of grit and grace on the court, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a heartfelt message. He thanked fans and organizers for creating a special space in the museum at the Rafa Nadal Academy, celebrating his legendary journey at Roland Garros. 'As you all know, @rolandgarros is the most special tournament of my career,' Nadal wrote. 'Thanks to everyone who created this special place in the museum located in the @rnadalacademy with such great memories . I hope you like it as much as I do. See you in Paris on Sunday!' While fans were quick to respond with love and admiration, some couldn't help but notice something else—Nadal's noticeably thinning hair. Clad in a navy-blue blazer and matching trousers, the 6-foot-1 legend looked every bit the charming icon he's always been. But this time, his hair told a different story. The signs of balding were far more visible than ever before, with a thinned-out scalp clearly showing through his crown and hairline. — RafaelNadal (@RafaelNadal) For years, fans have speculated whether Nadal's ever-present headband was the culprit—after all, he's worn it religiously throughout his career. Others have chalked it up to stress from the game or perhaps overexertion from years of competition at the highest level. But the truth is: none of those things are likely responsible for Nadal's hair loss . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo The real reason? Genetics and hormones. Nadal appears to suffer from androgenetic alopecia , more commonly known as male pattern baldness . What is androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness? This form of hair loss is the most common among men—and even affects a significant number of women. It's estimated that more than 80% of men will experience it at some point in their lives. Pattern baldness typically starts with a receding hairline and thinning at the crown and becomes more pronounced over time. Though it's more prevalent with age, it can begin as early as the late teens or early twenties for some men. In Nadal's case, the signs became more obvious in his late 20s, and now at age 38, the balding has become hard to ignore. In his latest photos, Nadal's hair looks notably sparse, particularly around the top, front, and crown. While he still has enough hair for a light comb-over, there's no hiding the thinning. His scalp is visibly peeking through. But it wasn't always this way There was a time when Nadal had one of the most enviable heads of hair in sports. His long, sweaty locks were as iconic as his explosive forehand. On the court, a headband would keep the strands in check. Off the court, fans would admire how effortlessly it framed his face. That changed as he neared 27. Fans began to notice his hair thinning, especially around the temples and crown. Then in 2016, reports surfaced—most notably from Sunday People—suggesting that Nadal had undergone a hair transplant . And the photos seemed to support it. What was the method of hair transplant? He was seen with the back of his scalp—known as the 'donor area'—closely shaved, a telltale sign of a FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) procedure. This method involves extracting individual hair follicles from thicker areas of the scalp and implanting them in areas experiencing hair loss. It's a more labor-intensive and costly option than the older FUT method, but is known for producing more natural-looking results. For someone constantly in the public eye like Nadal, this choice made sense. The transplant worked—at least for a while. Months after the rumored surgery, Nadal's hair looked noticeably denser. The comeback was strong enough to spark praise and renewed envy. But the gains didn't last. In the years that followed, his hair gradually began to thin again, and now, the balding process appears to be advancing steadily. Rafael Nadal's hair loss is neither unusual, nor it is something to be mocked about. It's a natural part of life for many men and women, and even someone as athletic, successful, and admired as Nadal is not immune to genetics. His willingness to step into the public eye, scalp and all, speaks volumes about his confidence and comfort in his own skin.
Kuwait Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
NBK supports Rafa Nadal's junior team in Antalya
KUWAIT: In light of their strategic partnership, the National Bank of Kuwait supported the Junior Team at Rafa Nadal Academy during the TenPro Tennis Tournament held in Antalya, Turkey from 11 until 20 April. At the tournament, 8 juniors under 14 years from the Rafa Nadal Academy's team played fierce games in which they showed remarkable competitiveness and exceptional sportsmanship, as they played against opponents from different nationalities, which enabled them to gain international experience and explore diverse tennis practices in a professional and competitive atmosphere. NBK's support comes from its longstanding commitment to social responsibility and strong belief in sponsoring and supporting national talents, in addition to its noticeable efforts to achieve sustainable development by encouraging all society members to exercise and follow healthy lifestyles. On this occasion, Mohammad Al-Sarraf, Public Relations and Event Management Officer said: 'This participation is a great chance for juniors to gain more experience and learn new techniques in tennis. We wish to develop and expand the level of tennis in Kuwait, build a unique generation of champions, and provide ideal platforms that contribute to upskilling junior athletes and achieving their goals.' Al-Sarraf added: 'The popularity of tennis in our society has driven NBK to support it by organizing relevant events and ultimately establishing this strategic partnership through which we strive to build a legacy of excellence and guarantee a promising future of education and development for our youth.' Al-Sarraf also emphasized that NBK prioritizes exercising and healthy lifestyles, and it has always taken the initiative to sponsor championships and tournaments to enable and encourage athletes. In this way, it wishes to achieve its social development objectives by encouraging people to follow healthy lifestyles and subsequently build a brighter future for the Kuwaiti youth. The members of Rafa Nadal Academy have access to 15 open and closed tennis courts that have been designed as per international standards. The academy encompasses squash and padel courts, in addition to a closed swimming pool and segregated fitness centers. It should be noted that NBK is committed to making various initiatives and programs that prioritize youth well-being, education, health, women empowerment, and environmental sustainability, as it strives to play a key role in making positive change and securing a brighter future for the upcoming generations.
Arab Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
NBK Supports Rafa Nadal's Junior Team during TenPro Global Tennis Tournament in Antalya
KUWAIT CITY, May 8: In light of their strategic partnership, the National Bank of Kuwait supported the Junior Team at Rafa Nadal Academy during the TenPro Tennis Tournament held in Antalya, Turkey, from 11 to 20 April. At the tournament, 8 juniors under 14 years from the Rafa Nadal Academy's team played fierce games in which they showed remarkable competitiveness and exceptional sportsmanship, as they played against opponents from different nationalities, which enabled them to gain international experience and explore diverse tennis practices in a professional and competitive atmosphere. NBK's support comes from its longstanding commitment to social responsibility and strong belief in sponsoring and supporting national talents, in addition to its noticeable efforts to achieve sustainable development by encouraging all society members to exercise and follow healthy lifestyles. On this occasion, Mohammad Al-Sarraf, Public Relations and Event Management Officer, said: 'This participation is a great chance for juniors to gain more experience and learn new techniques in tennis. We wish to develop and expand the level of tennis in Kuwait, build a unique generation of champions, and provide ideal platforms that contribute to upskilling junior athletes and achieving their goals.' Al-Sarraf added: 'The popularity of tennis in our society has driven NBK to support it by organizing relevant events and ultimately establishing this strategic partnership through which we strive to build a legacy of excellence and guarantee a promising future of education and development for our youth.' Al-Sarraf also emphasized that NBK prioritizes exercising and healthy lifestyles, and it has always taken the initiative to sponsor championships and tournaments to enable and encourage athletes. In this way, it wishes to achieve its social development objectives by encouraging people to follow healthy lifestyles and subsequently build a brighter future for the Kuwaiti youth. The members of Rafa Nadal Academy have access to 15 open and closed tennis courts that have been designed according to international standards. The academy encompasses squash and padel courts, in addition to a closed swimming pool and segregated fitness centers. It should be noted that NBK is committed to making various initiatives and programs that prioritize youth well-being, education, health, women's empowerment, and environmental sustainability, as it strives to play a key role in making positive change and securing a brighter future for the upcoming generations.
