Rafael Nadal responded to critical comments from the Manacor mayor suggesting his academy has received favoritism from local officials.
The world No. 1 shot down suggestions he has received preferential treatment for his Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy saying the criticism caused him "pain and disappointment" in an open letter to the Manacor media.
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"Like any person, it hurts to receive unjustified and defamatory attacks that the only thing they want is to stain my name," Nadal said in comments published by Spanish sport publication Marca. "I could extend with more situations that I have been silent for a long time, but I do not like to enter into certain controversies. I just wanted to express my feeling of pain and disappointment."
Manacor mayor Miquel Oliver was quoted as criticizing Nadal with "living outside the municipality" pointing out that "Manacority is practiced is not verbalized."
Though the mayor has since walked back the "living outside the municipality" comment, Nadal, who has lived in his hometown of Manacor his entire life, was clearly stung by the criticism.
"We were accused on November 12th of not paying the IBI or garbage fees at the Academy, something completely false, since the payments corresponding to the IBI were made in October upon receipt of the document to do so," Nadal wrote in his open letter to the media.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion has been a champion of local causes.
When flash flooding devastated the nearby town of Sant Llorenç des Cardassar in October of 2018 causing several fatalities, destroying homes and bridges and prompting the Prime Minister to declare a state of catastrophe, Nadal, his family and friends delivered immediate aid.
Displaying deep care for his neighbors, Nadal opened the doors of the Rafa Nadal Academy providing shelter for families displaced by the flood. He also donated €1 million to help those affected by the disaster.
Last month, Nadal announced expansion for the Rafa Nadal Academy, which will included eight new clay courts.
A second phase of the project will see the Rafa Nadal Sports Centre add 80 spots for sports tourism. When finished, the Centre will be able to host 214 visitors from around the world—an increase of 80 spots.
The Sports Centre is designed for fans and recreational players from around the world to visit and learn to train like Rafa.
The Rafa Nadal Academy, which provides supervised training and housing for juniors, will maintain its 140 spots for junior players.
Since it opened in 2016, the Academy has become a popular training spot for pro players. Feliciano Lopez, Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov and Naomi Osaka are among the players who have trained at the Academy.
Roger Federer visited in October of 2016 for the official inauguration.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve