Q&A with Joel Figueras, Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy
This summer, the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy will bring its expertise to New York as it will be running two different week-long camps at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx.
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New York Tennis Magazine sat down with Joel Figueras, Tennis Coaching Director for the Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, to discuss his tennis life, talk about the Academy’s philosophy, the decision to come to New York and much more.
NYTM: Can you talk about your tennis background?
I am currently the Coaching Director at Rafa Nadal Tennis Academy, and the founder of Educatennis, an online platform for coaches training and tennis teaching programs.
Growing up, tennis was a part of my life from a young age, and I competed in the World Junior Circuit as a player, achieving a ranking of 17th in the world at one point, before moving on to play on the pro circuit of ATP Futures and Challengers in Europe, America and Africa. When I was 25, I transitioned to a career as a tennis coach and became the coach of the Mexican Davis Cup team, and coaching top ATP players such as Carlos Costa, Joan Aguilera and Francis Roig, among others. I went on to become a coach at the USTA and helped develop players such as Taylor Fritz, Reilly Opelka and Tommy Paul. I was at the USTA between 2013-2015, and have tried to use my passion, dedication and expertise to help players wherever I have been. I have the highest title granted by the Spanish Tennis Federation, a Level 3 National Coach, and was named the best Spanish professional in 2009, as well as serving as a consultant to many tennis schools, academies and programs.
NYTM: What made you and the team decide to host a camp this summer in New York?
New York City has long been recognized as a hub for tennis enthusiasts, and we’ve noticed that many students, both adults and kids, come from NYC to train at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca. We saw a window of opportunity to connect two major brands and bring the unique training experience of the Rafa Nadal Academy to New Yorkers. Our goal is to offer aspiring recreational and competitive players the chance to train like a pro, without having to travel too far from home. By bringing the tennis camps to NYC, we’re providing a convenient and accessible option for those who are passionate about the sport and want to take their game to the next level.
And now with direct flights available from NYC to the RNA headquarters in Mallorca, New Yorkers can seamlessly travel to Mallorca to follow up their passion after the local summer camps.
NYTM: How excited are you to come here and bring the Spanish method of tennis teaching to local players in New York?
The Spanish teaching methodology, which emphasizes footwork, consistency, and power generation in forced positions, can bring several benefits to players. By practicing on clay courts, players are forced to develop better footwork, as the slower surface requires them to move more efficiently and deliberately. Consistency is also emphasized, as clay courts tend to produce longer rallies and require players to develop a more patient approach to the game.
Additionally, the Spanish methodology focuses on developing power generation in forced positions, which can help players become more effective in different situations on the court.
By improving their ability to generate power from a variety of positions, players can become more versatile and better equipped to handle different opponents and playing conditions.
When combined with the US methodology, which emphasizes serve and return patterns and follow-up shots, players can become more complete and well-rounded.
NYTM: Can you explain the Spanish method of teaching, and the philosophy of your academy overall?
The Integrated Training methodology is designed to encompass the four key elements of tennis: hitting, strategic decision-making, emotional control, and skill development. This methodology takes into account the entire sequence of events from when the player perceives the ball to the end of the point. Coaches work with players in an integrated way, combining mental, physical, technical, and tactical aspects of the game. The information is transmitted to the player through a mental concept, which forms the basis of the training session. Unlike some educational systems that may overemphasize execution, I believe that a balanced program is key to helping players reach their full potential. By taking a holistic approach that includes not just technical skills, but also physical conditioning, mental toughness, and strategy development, players can become more well-rounded and adaptable on the court.
I also place a strong emphasis on creating a positive learning environment that fosters teamwork, respect, and a growth mindset. Coaches work closely with players to identify their strengths and areas for improvement, and use a variety of teaching methods to keep players engaged and motivated.
Overall, our philosophy and methodology is centered on creating a well-rounded, balanced program that helps players accelerate their learning and reach their full potential on the court.
NYTM: You worked with the USTA for two decades, how does the teaching methods here in the United States differ from how you teach at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain?
American Tennis and the USTA are experiencing a resurgence of success due to the leadership of Patrick McEnroe and José Higueras between 2008 and 2015. They made a wise decision to select coaches who implemented a combination of American and Spanish-based methodologies, which resulted in a great deal of success in the past. Currently, we are witnessing the emergence of those positive outcomes.
NYTM: Why should New Yorkers sign up for the camp this summer and learn from you and your acclaimed team?
Campers should join the camps because they offer the opportunity to train like a pro without having to travel too far from home. The camps bring the unique training experience of the Rafa Nadal Academy to New York City, providing a convenient and accessible option for those who are passionate about tennis and want to take their game to the next level. The Spanish teaching methodology, which emphasizes footwork, consistency, and power generation in forced positions, can bring several benefits to players, including better footwork, greater consistency, and the ability to generate power from a variety of positions. By joining the camps, players can become more technically skilled, mentally tough, physically fit, and able to adapt to different playing conditions.
The Rafa Nadal Academy is one of the best in the world. Our unique methodology focuses on gamification to teach technical skills, tactics, decision-making, competition, cognitive development, and footwork, all while having a great time.
You can register following the following link: https://www.educatennis.org/rafanadalacademycamps
