Tennis Australia Press Release, May 3, 2021

The Rafa Nadal Tour has returned to Australia, with competitive events planned for juniors in every state and territory this year.

The globally renowned junior circuit program, first introduced to Australia in 2019, was designed in close collaboration with 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal to offer a competitive environment while fostering and educating junior players on the important values of sportsmanship, commitment, fellowship and effort.

The Australian tour will allow players from the 12/u and 14/u age groups a chance to earn a place in the Rafa Nadal Tour Masters event, set to take place in January 2022 in Melbourne. 

Each state and territory event will be run as a Junior Gold Tournament, allowing players to compete for valuable junior ranking points, whilst learning and participating in set activities aligned with the values of Nadal. 

The four winners from each 12/u and 14/u singles event at each tournament, as well as four selected winners of the Trophy of Values, will progress to the end of circuit Australian Masters event. The Trophy of Values will be awarded to players from each event who best embody the values of the Rafa Nadal Tour.

“I am very happy to see the Rafa Nadal Tour 2021 return to every state in Australia,” world No.2 Nadal said. 

“I want to encourage everyone to play under safe conditions and I hope everyone will enjoy the tour, have the chance to make many friends, to compete, and to share great experiences.

“I wish everyone the best of luck and hope everyone enjoys the event.”

“Rafa is so highly respected for his behaviour and attitudes on and off the court, as well as being a legend of the game,” Rafa Nadal Tour Australia Manager David Boyes said.

“It’s great to be able to deliver the Rafa Nadal Tour in Australia and really focus on the four values that Rafa embodies in sportsmanship, commitment, fellowship and effort.

“Whilst the tour has a focus on providing healthy, competitive opportunities for our young players, it also places equal importance on building educative values into the week, allowing our players to grow.”

In conjunction with the return of the Rafa Nadal Tour, Junior ITF events have also returned to Australia, kicking off in Mornington last week, with upcoming events planned in the Northern Territory and Queensland.