World no. 2 Rafael Nadal has donated €1 million in flood relief for those affected in October’s floods in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. The flood which struck Nadal’s native of Mallorca wrecked havoc in the town, leaving 13 people dead.
Mateu Puigròs, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar’s mayor said, “This is help from a special person who shows his love for our land and for his neighbours, for us all. We know about his immense affection and humanity that is as great as his talent and results.
We have seen this from him, both on and off the court.” According to Diario Mallorca, before Nadal’s donation, €1.6 million has been collected as flood relief in Mallorca. In the immediate days after the floods, Nadal had helped clean the town.
The picture of him helping with the cleaning operations had gone viral. Nadal had been recuperating from an ankle injury at that time, which had forced him out of the 2018 season. Meanwhile, on court, Nadal will playing the Mubadala Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, in December 2018 to kick-starts the start of the 2019 season.
After the exhibition event, Nadal will be playing the Brisbane International to officially open his 2019 campaign on the ATP Tour. Thereafter, he will be playing the Australian Open where, in 2018, he had to withdraw in the quarter-finals against Marin Cilic with an injury.
Nadal has won one Australian Open title, in 2009.