Things always end in fireworks when two tennis greats step on the court. However, what would it be like at the Paris Olympics, when the younger generation is all set to follow in the footsteps of the legends? Alexander Zverev’s 1R opponent, Jaume Munar, may answer this through his racquet on the clay courts of Paris. As the 27-year-old tries to emulate his idol, the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, against the German, it must be fate this year that Zverev has to get past Spaniards to kick start his clay court campaign.

During the French Open 2024, Zverev had to face Nadal in the first round. And this time in Paris, he would be encountering a product of Nadal’s academy, Munar. What’s more interesting is the fact that both Munar and Nadal belong to the same hometown of Mallorca, Spain. And are trained on the island of Manacor. These names sound very familiar, as that is where Rafael Nadal’s Academy is situated. However, this experience came a little later. The beginning of his tennis career is worthwhile.

The Spanish Tennis Federation recognized Munar’s talent early in his teens. Consequently, he packed his bags for training in Barcelona at the age of 14. Recalling his early days, Munar once highlighted the importance of this career-making opportunity: “That was important for me because, of course, tennis is an expensive sport if you start from the beginning.”

However, during the early days, Munar was not solely focused on tennis but on his studies, too. Hence, “That was the main reason why I went there. It was also a chance to spend some time with the best guys of my age in Spain and to combine tennis with studies.”

At Barcelona, he earned the reputation of an angry young man and was nicknamed Jimbo. Why? Because the way he gave everything when he stepped on the tennis court reminded his coaches and peers of Jimmy Connor. Though he is “much more relaxed” now, but the name stayed with him. And of course, he is happy with it. After 6 years of hard work and dedication, Munar’s shining moment came at the 2014 French Open boy’s singles.

After he lost the match to Andy Rublev, he traced his steps back to Mallorca to be with his family. “I had gone to Barcelona when I was 14 and it was important for me to be back with my family,” he remarked. However, that was just the beginning of Munar’s tennis. And the second stop was not at the Spanish Tennis Federation. He routed to his neighbor by a long shot, and the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal’s Academy, to train while staying close to his home.

When Jaume Munar began his tryst with the Rafael Nadal’s Academy

At Mallorca, a lot of this worked out for the then 20-year-old. Because of the region, conversations flowed better, and Rafael Nadal Academy was just 30 minutes away from his home. Above all, he had the support of Uncle Toni and Nadal himself, which certainly pushed him to do better. He said,

“Toni tries to help me as much as he can. It’s great for me to have Rafa supporting me because he’s one of the greatest tennis players ever. He tries to help me. I think he sees me as the next top player from Mallorca. He’s always trying to help me as much as he can.”

Things certainly turned out better, as he jumped into the top 100, and achieved the career-high ranking of World No.52. However, his tennis prowess is yet to brighten the Grand Slam court, but he came out from the shadows, as he played the finals at Aix-en-Provence in April 2024. And now at the Olympics, this might turn out to be a career-defining moment for the Spaniard. 

Would Rafael Nadal Academy’s player outshine the French Open finalist to make his way further into the tournament? Or would Alexander proceed the same way as he did back in June against the King of Clay?