World No. 1 tennis player Rafael Nadal of Spain inaugurated the Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy at the Rural Development Trust (RDT), Anantapur, according to information reaching here on Sunday.

Nadal, who arrived early morning from Mumbai via Bangalore, interacted with over 100 trainees at the academy and promised to donate Rs. 55 lakh per annum for the development of tennis in Anantapur.

Nadal, who was accompanied by his mother Ms. Maria Nadal Parera and his sister Ms. Maria Isabel, expressed satisfaction at the facilities offered at the academy and promised to coach the trainees from next year. The academy is equipped with three clay courts.

Nadal also visited Bathalapalli centre of RDT and interacted with physically challenged athletes. Sources said the selfless service by Fr. Vincent Ferrer, a Spaniard by birth and founder of RDT, brought Nadal to Anantapur.