Rafael Nadal Hits Back at Spanish Mayor for Defaming him

World number one Rafael Nadal hits back at the mayor of his hometown, Manacor for accusing him of enjoying certain privileges, which would have allowed him to expand the Rafa Nadal Academy in the town in 2016.

The mayor of Manacor, Miquel Oliver, had stung Rafael Nadal with his allegations that the 19-time Grand Slam champion reaped the advantage of the city without actually living there as he lives ‘outside the municipality.’

“Illegal it is not, but that does not mean that a law has been made on purpose to carry out that work,” Oliver said as stated by Cadena SER.

Nadal issued an open letter to the local media website Manacor Noticias in responding to Oliver’s comments. In the letter, Nadal labeled Oliver’s comments as ‘offensive’ and denied any wrongdoing. He also said claims the academy is yet to pay any IBI (property tax) are ‘completely false.’

“Honestly, having to read and listen to this is very offensive and painful. Like any person, it hurts to receive unjustified and defamatory attacks. The only thing they want is to stain my name, ” Nadal explained in the letter.

Perhaps there are people who do not like the way I have taken the name of Manacor all over the world, but I think there is no doubt that I have tried to do it in the best possible way,” said Nadal, who has helped the municipality of Manacor on several occasions, most recently during the disastrous floods of 2018.

However, it seems difficult for Nadal and Mayor Oliver to an understanding as Miquel Oliver doubts Nadal’s authenticity and feels that he may not have written the letter by himself.

I doubt very much that the letter Rafa has published was written by him in person,” He said on radio show El Larguero.

The Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor features 26 tennis courts with different surfaces, both outdoor and indoor. The Academy is run by Nadal’s former coach and uncle Toni Nadal.

Recently, Rafael Nadal led Spain to clinch the sixth title at the Davis Cup 2019 in Madrid at the Caja Majica stadium after defeating Canada in the finals.