Rafael Nadal , winner of 19 Grand Slams, said Wednesday in his visit to the facilities of 42 Madrid, a campus of pioneer programmers where the student freely chooses his learning path without teachers, books or classrooms, who wants to "stay linked to sport "when he finished his career as a professional tennis player.

"I am in love with the sport and I want to remain linked to it when I retire . I am in the final phase, it is sad but it is like that, and the academy is to ensure that goal for the future," said the Manacorí. "The year has been very good. Last year too, but I left many tournaments for physical problems. Now, from Barcelona to here I have been able to play what I wanted. I hope to follow my planned calendar," the 33-year-old tennis player analyzed.

"I do what I like, and when someone does what they like, there is no sacrifice. What I am really satisfied with is the ability to overcome, to continue growing even having achieved many things or overcoming moments such as when the body doesn't answer you. I've always done it with the help of the people next to me, "he admitted.

Teamwork

Nadal, who has been a Telefónica ambassador since 2015, visited District T together with the company's president, José María Álvarez-Pallete, to learn about the facilities that the operator has set up in Madrid and that is part of the commitment of the Spanish company for training in digital skills. The teaching form of 42 Madrid begins with a stage of 'swimming pool' or selection process, a final test and the most demanding phase of the 25-day process that ended at the end of September.

During the subsequent talk, Álvarez-Pallete commented with Nadal about aspects such as effort, teamwork and motivation, and received the shirts of the last two Grand Slams won by the Mallorcan (Roland Garros and US Open this year).

The Balearic tennis player assured, on the other hand, that 42 Madrid is a "spectacular initiative". "Having the possibility of bringing many people together in one place, trying to find solutions without a traditional teaching figure, makes working as a team and solving problems together . It is a very healthy way to learn and is a very advance important, "continued Nadal.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • sports
  • tennis
  • Rafael Nadal

US OpenNadal exhibits muscle when it reaches the fifth set

TennisNadal, for a fifth 'number one' to match Djokovic and Federer

US OpenNadal: "Many doubted that I could play so many years; me too"