Madrid: Rafael Nadal will open a tennis academy on his home island of Mallorca in 2016.
The 14-time Grand Slam winner has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the academy in his home town of Manacor.
Nadal says "this is a special day for me, this project that we have been working on for many years is finally a reality."
He says the plan is to "begin with a summer camp in 2016."
The academy will include a school where promising tennis talents can continue their regular studies.
The 28-year-old Nadal is recovering from the removal of his appendix earlier this month. He has said he will return to competition in January.
