The island of Gran Canaria solidifies its position as a permanent venue for the national junior tennis circuit with the staging of a new edition of the Rafa Nadal Tour by Santander. The facilities of Tennis Academy El Cortijo, located in Telde, serve as the backdrop for this competition, which gathers approximately 200 players from across Spain.
The tournament, officially presented with the presence of institutional representatives and organizers, has been highlighted for its importance beyond sports. Leticia López, manager of the Insular Institute of Sports of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, emphasized the event's impact on promoting grassroots sports and transmitting values such as effort, sacrifice, and responsibility, pillars of Rafa Nadal's career. López also thanked the involvement of Tennis Academy El Cortijo and the work done to establish the island as a reference venue.
Cristhian Santana, Councilor for Sports of the Telde City Council, expressed the municipality's pride in hosting a tournament of this magnitude, calling Telde "the city of sports." 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.
The Rafa Nadal Tour maintains its core identity of transmitting values and its solidarity commitment. The circuit aims to train young athletes not only as tennis players but also as individuals, fostering principles such as humility, respect, and sportsmanship. A portion of the tournament's resources is 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 tournament's essence as "much more than a tennis competition," highlighting the extraordinary atmosphere, impeccable organization, and the magnificent response from players and families in Gran Canaria, making this event one of the most special on the calendar.
Following the presentation ceremony, the competition commenced with the initial matches of the main draws in the U-12 and U-14 boys' categories, and the U-16 girls' category, played on the hard courts of Tennis Academy El Cortijo.
Carlota Molina, the tournament director in Gran Canaria, emphasized the excellent atmosphere and the comprehensive experience enjoyed by players and families. Sports director Jorge Sánchez highlighted the growing prestige of the circuit nationally, with a significant Canarian representation aiming for strong performances.
The competition will continue with the round of 16 on Wednesday, quarterfinals on Thursday, semifinals on Friday, and the finals on Saturday, further solidifying Gran Canaria as a benchmark for national junior tennis.
