Up-and-coming tennis star Ariana Geerlings has criticised the coaching strategies used at Rafael Nadal's academy. The facility was arrange seven years in the past within the 22-time Grand Slam champion's hometown of Manacor, whereas his uncle, Toni Nadal, can also be closely concerned.

Geerlings, an 18-year-old prospect from Spain, is barely simply starting to make her means within the senior ranks. The teen is bidding to interrupt into the world's high 700 after not too long ago parting methods with the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy.

And she seemingly believes that her profession shall be higher off for the cut up, having identified that the in depth workload positioned on these studying their commerce on the academy is resulting in issues.

"They try to rely a lot on their career," Geerlings defined. "They prepare for a lot of hours, and Toni [Nadal] could be very current. He educated me so much.

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"They take the identical philosophy as Rafa, lots of coaching and little relaxation, completely targeted on the observe. That brought on many accidents, as a result of nobody has Rafa’s physique. Many of us couldn’t sustain with the tempo of coaching 5 hours a day and never having relaxation days.

"I think what they need is to specify more about each player, analyse and understand them more, decide what is best for each profile. But hey, I understand that it is an Academy, and there are many people, you cannot define a plan for each person."

Plans for Nadal's hotly-anticipated comeback have been made official earlier this week when the veteran revealed that he could be collaborating within the Brisbane International, which will get underway on January 7.

"After a year away from competition, it's time to come back," he stated in a video posted to X. "It will be in Brisbane the first week of January. I'll see you there."