Ana Ivanovic and Rafa Nadal Preside Over Rafa Nadal Academy Graduating Class
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy
Diploma day received champions’ commendation at the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Ana Ivanovic joined fellow former world No. 1 Rafa Nadal to preside over the graduation ceremony for the 10th class of the Rafa Nadal School on the Spanish superstar’s native Mallorca. Forty-seven students from several different countries around the world comprised the 2026 graduating class.
The 2008 Roland Garros champion and holder of 15 WTA titles, Ivanovic is the latest sports champion to speak at the graduation ceremony. Ivanovic, one of the most popular WTA champions of her era, follows in the footsteps of renowned sports figures such as Toni Kroos, Pau Gasol, David Ferrer, Ona Carbonell, Ricky Rubio, Iga Świątek, and Carlos Moyá, who have accompanied Academy graduates in recent years.
In 2020, Nadal friends and fellow former Grand Slam champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova participated virtually in the ceremony.
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy
Ivanovic told graduating students success stems more from commitment and daily dedication than sheer talent.
“People often think that champions are defined by talent, and talent does matter,” Ivanovic said in her speech. “But after spending so many years in sports, I can say with complete confidence that it is not only about talent.
“It is about commitment. It is about hard work. It is about consistency. It is about showing up every single day. The true goal is not simply to become the most successful person, but to become someone who is kind, who remains grounded in both difficult and successful moments, and who approaches failure, pressure, and opportunity with the same grace and composure.”
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy
During his speech, Rafa Nadal highlighted the role that education has played since the Academy’s founding and conveyed a message of gratitude and confidence to the students as they embark on a new chapter.
“Tennis has always been a fundamental part of my life, and it is also part of the DNA of this academy. It has taught us values that we consider essential: effort, discipline, respect, resilience, and the ability to get back up after every setback,” Nadal told graduates. “If there is one thing that has guided this project from the beginning, it is the conviction that education opens doors for a lifetime.
“That is why, from the very start, we wanted to build a school we could be proud of. A school capable of developing not only great athletes, but above all good people and outstanding students, prepared to pursue whatever path they choose in the future.”
Rafa also addressed the graduates directly with an emotional farewell message: We will always be your extended family.
“As you leave the Academy today and begin a new stage in your lives, I would like you to remember one thing: no matter where your future takes you, you will always be part of the Rafa Nadal Academy family.” Rafa Nadal said. “From today onward, you will face new challenges and new opportunities. Some of you may already have a clear path ahead, while others are still discovering it.
“What matters is that you always maintain your curiosity, your desire to learn, and your commitment to continuous improvement.”
Photo credit: Rafa Nadal Academy
The 47 graduates have now completed an important stage of their education at the Rafa Nadal School, an international American-English school located within the Rafa Nadal Academy.
Since its creation, the school has set its mission statement in developing “an academic model based on educational excellence, critical thinking, independence, and the cultivation of values such as effort, humility, discipline, resilience, and respect—principles that form part of students’ daily lives and are embodied by Rafa Nadal himself.”
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