Felix Balshaw has crowned a breakthrough week at the Rafa Nadal Open by Movistar by capturing his maiden ATP Challenger Tour title. The 20-year-old Frenchman battled back from a set down to defeat Spanish alternate Inaki Montes de la Torre 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in Sunday’s singles final at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, Spain.

Competing at the eighth edition of the Rafa Nadal Open, a Challenger 75 event played on the Academy’s hard courts from August 31 to September 6, Balshaw added a major milestone to his career after previously collecting five titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour.

Balshaw fired 11 aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points. The world No. 252 capitalized on six of his nine break-point chances to seal victory in one hour and 57 minutes. Balshaw earned €15,510 in prize money as well as 75 ATP Ranking points.

A moment Felix Balshaw will never forget ♥️ #ATPChallenger | @rnadalacademy pic.twitter.com/BCOw91vr0n

— ATP Challenger (@ATPChallenger) September 6, 2026

The Rafa Nadal Open once again brought together a strong international field at the Rafa Nadal Academy, with the tournament aiming to showcase leading Spanish and international players. The event forms part of the RFET’s efforts to increase the number of Challenger tournaments staged in Spain.

“We are proud to be able to help another year so that these events become a reality,” said Miguel Díaz, president of the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET), highlighting the Academy’s role in hosting the tournament and the importance of continuing to strengthen the Challenger circuit in Spain.

Manacor is the second-largest town on the Spanish island of Mallorca and is located in the eastern part of the island. Known for its traditional Mallorcan character, the town combines historic architecture with a lively local atmosphere and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Manacor is also closely associated with tennis thanks to the Rafa Nadal Academy, founded by Mallorca’s most famous sporting son, Rafael Nadal. The state-of-the-art academy has become an important international tennis hub, hosting major tournaments such as the Rafa Nadal Open and welcoming players from around the world.

Beyond tennis, Manacor offers visitors a glimpse of authentic Mallorca, with historic streets, local markets and easy access to the island’s scenic eastern coastline and beaches.