The local government of Mallorca are being urged to allow world No.2 Rafael Nadal to return to training by a campaign set up by children in the region.
The ‘Rafa Play Now’ social media campaign has called for a special permit to be issued to the 19-time grand slam champion in order for him to return to the court. According to a letter issued in Spanish, Children are calling for the tennis star to return to the court ‘because he deserves it.’ Nadal is currently refined to his house due to lockdown measures in the fight against COVID-19. Spain has recorded more than 23,000 deaths related to the virus.
“I am not playing tennis, I do not have a court at home and I miss it a little,” Nadal said during a Instagram live broadcast last week.
“I am sticking to my physical routines. From the gym of my academy, they were able to bring me some machines when lockdown began – so I try to work a little in the morning, a little in the afternoon.
“It is very important to have both the head and the body focused and it is what I am trying to do at all times.”
According to Spanish newspaper Marca that campaign aims to ‘promote the values of Rafa Nadal and is now asking that (the winner of 19 Grand Slam titles) be able to play tennis again.‘ They are a non-profit movement, but it is unclear as to who is the original founder. A video has been published featuring children from Mallorca calling for the Spaniard to return to the court with the ‘Rafa Play Now’ hashtag.
#RafaPlayNow is a non-profit movement promoted by children from Mallorca who wish to highlight @rafaelnadal values, and also asking for him to be able to train again right now, because HE DESERVES IT. Join us. pic.twitter.com/6hOofIOzoZ
— RafaPlayNow (@RafaPlayNow) April 27, 2020
In one part of the video, the group says that Nadal has earned his right to resume training. Focusing on his sporting achievements as well as the funds he has raised for the Red Cross and their fight against COVID-19.
“We defend that Spanish sport will fully understand that Rafa Nadal deserves to be the first to return to sports in Spain. There is no need for laws or decrees. He has earned it and he deserves it,” the children said.
During a recent interview with Spain’s four premier sport newspapers, Nadal has said returning to training during the pandemic will not be a problem because ‘tennis is a sport where you maintain your distance.’ However, he is less optimistic when it comes to the ATP Tour resuming in the near future.
“We have to be sensible and coherent. We have to travel to a different country every week and even if you play without the public, you have to realize that to play a grand slam, you have 128 men and 128 women and their teams,” he explained.
“Even if you don’t have the public, you are still in contact with each other and you need to have a lot of services.”
“You also need hotels and it is much more complicated. If I had to play without the public, I would do so, but I don’t think that it is prudent to play tournaments at the moment.”
Nadal hasn’t played a professional match since March 1st when he defeated Taylor Fritz to win the Mexican Open in Acapulco. Earning the 85th Tour title of his career.
