Nadal, Ferrer Offer Wisdom To Academy Graduating Class

There are commencement speakers, and then there are commencement speakers.

The 29 students who graduated from the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar on Wednesday afternoon were treated to words of wisdom from two Spanish tennis legends as Rafael Nadal and recently retired David Ferrer spoke to the graduating class, the academy’s third.

Nadal, who won his record-extending 12^thRoland Garros title on Sunday, told the students to surround themselves with the right people. The Spaniard leaned on his inner circle as he recovered from injury to recently win a record-setting 34^th ATP Masters 1000 title in Rome and yet another Roland Garros crown. 

“First thing that I want to do is say congratulations to these 29 students who graduate today. I am not a big fan [of giving] advice, but the only thing that I want to tell you is try to be around good people. That’s the most important thing,” Nadal said.

“When you are around good people, life is happier, life is easier, and for sure you become a better person when you have the right people around you.”

Watch Rafa’s Full Speech To The Graduates

Ferrer, who retired at the Mutua Madrid Open last month, also spoke at the ceremony, which was attended by family, friends and school staff and took place in the centre court of the academy. The students attended the academy’s school, the American International School of Mallorca.

Nadal is next scheduled to compete at Wimbledon, which begins 1 July. The Spaniard is a two-time champion (2008, 2010) at the grass-court Grand Slam, and will be looking to maintain his place atop the ATP Race To London.

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Watch Ferrer’s Full Speech To The Graduates