ATP Challenger: Almagro and Kuhn start at the Rafa Nadal Academy

While Rafael Nadal is trying to defend his US Open title in New York, the tournament in his Academy on Mallorca will be the first to award points to a challenger.

Nicolas Almagro has at least one thing to fear: a further deterioration of his 1:15 record against Rafael Nadal. Even though Almagro will be visiting the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mancor next Monday. the boss himself will not be present, defending his title at the US Open is of course Nadal’s priority.

Almagro, however, will compete in the ATP Challenger tournament with a wildcard, as will Nicola Kuhn. The Spaniard with German roots has had a difficult season, the injury series Kuhns does not want to break off. Last year, the 18-year-old won his first major title in Braunschweig, his appearance at the Nadals will be the first on hard court since Miami.

If the qualification for the US Open doesn’t go well, Dennis Novak could also hit Mallorca. The Austrian mentioned at least once, as did Thomas Fabbiano and Bernard Tomic.