No one has Rafa's physique: the harsh reality of training at the Rafa Nadal Academy

A former student of the Rafa Nadal Academy shared their opinion on the concerning training center policies that have led to injuries among the youth.

18-year-old Spanish player Ariana Geerlings, who is actively participating in the ITF Tour, granted an interview to Puntop de Break, where she provided insights into the academy acclaimed as one of the world's foremost for aspiring tennis players. The facilities and infrastructure are of world-class standards, accommodating both young talents and seasoned players. However, perfection eludes the Rafa Nadal Academy, as not everything is flawless in its policies:

"They try to rely a lot on their career. They train for many hours, and Toni (Nadal) is very present. He trained me a lot. They take the same philosophy as Rafa, a lot of training and little rest, totally focused on the court," Ariana Geerlings said.

The young tennis player acknowledged that Nadal's approach has resulted in injuries for several young athletes, as the philosophy of the 22-times Grand Slam champion is closely adhered to.

"That caused many injuries because no one has Rafa's physique. Many of us couldn't keep up with the pace of training five hours a day and not having rest days."

Ultimately, the young Spanish player decided to leave Nadal's academy after three years and returned to her home in Murcia. Nevertheless, Geerlings expressed gratitude for the experience she gained at Nadal's academy.

"Very cool, it is an incredible experience, they supported me from the first day. Maybe I left when I was very young, you move away from your parents and that is hard, although it was good for me to mature and realize the sacrifice that this career entails. They also made it easier for me in my studies; at home, it would have been different," she concluded.