Game, set and match

PLANS are underway to build a statue to tennis legend Rafael Nadal in his home town of Manacor.

The idea was agreed at a council meeting in June last year, when Nadal had just made history by winning his 14th French Open, and the town hall has now drawn up a sketch of what the monument would look like.

It is said to show Nadal sitting down as if resting between sets, with a racket and several water bottles at his feet.

Next to him would be a small boy, representing the star as he was when he discovered his passion for tennis while growing up in the town.

Manacor mayor Miquel Oliver has reportedly requested a meeting with

AECFA, which includes the Spanish airport authorities and 14 European airlines, believes Son Sant Joan will register a 9.7 per cent increase in activity compared to 2019, with more than 30.7 million aeroplane seats available for travellers to the island from March to October.

According to AECFA, this will make 2023 the busiest ever year for the airport, as 2019 holds the current record with 29.6 million seats on planes destined for Mallorca.

The increased number of seats is due to the airlines operating in Mallorca using larger planes in order to optimise fuel consumption and costs.

Nadal to discuss the design of the bronze statue, which will only go ahead with his approval.

Current plans are for the monument to be erected in Plaza Palau, on the low wall surrounding the olive tree, opposite the family home.

This would be the second statue in his honour, following a three metrehigh emblem at the main entrance to Roland Garros inaugurated in May 2021.

Foreign tour operators have confirmed the optimistic predictions for this summer, suggesting that travel demands are very high throughout Europe and that this will lead to tourist activity levels “way above the average” for the second year running.

Germany is predicted to account for the largest fraction of aeroplane seats ­ more than 10 million, followed by the UK, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Scandinavia and Denmark.