Centre of attention

Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal has built a David Iglesias-designed high-performance academy on his home island of Majorca to help promising youngsters make their tennis dreams come true.

Rafael Nadal has opened a high-performance centre in his hometown of Manacor on the Spanish island of Majorca, which will allow students to follow their dreams of becoming professional tennis players while they continue their education.

As well as 26 indoor and outdoor tennis courts, the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar includes an American International School for children aged from 10 to 18, a fitness centre, two swimming pools, mini football pitches, three multi-sport courts, 10 paddle tennis courts, a restaurant, café bar, pro shop and gardens.

Designed by David Iglesias, the 24,000-square metre project also showcases Dekton, a versatile, hard-wearing surface developed by Cosentino Group.

It has fitted more than 40,000 square metres of this innovative material in a range of thicknesses, utilising it for panelling, worktops, flooring, stairs and skirting.

The material can also be found on the façades of the complex’s two main buildings, as well as in the swimming pools and the spa area.

Dekton is used in a range of different colours, including two – an intense blue and a soft white tone – which were developed specially for a project which has attracted world-wide attention.

Many of the world’s leading tennis players, meanwhile, are set to compete in the award-winning Dubai Duty Free tournament, which takes place in the emirate from 19 February to 4 March.