Nadal to open tennis academy in home town in 2016

MADRID (AP) Rafael Nadal will open a tennis academy on his home island of Mallorca in 2016.

The 14-time Grand Slam winner has held a groundbreaking ceremony for the academy in his home town of Manacor.

Nadal says ''this is a special day for me, this project that we have been working on for many years is finally a reality.''

He says the plan is to ''begin with a summer camp in 2016.''

The academy will include a school where promising tennis talents can continue their regular studies.

The 28-year-old Nadal is recovering from the removal of his appendix earlier this month. He has said he will return to competition in January.