Toni Nadal has been one of the most recognisable faces in the support box for Rafael Nadal over the years. Toni, who is Rafa’s uncle, was often a bastion of support with just his presence and or a stern nod enough to put his charge at ease in matches.
Toni took over coaching of Nadal from a young age, and famously encouraged Nadal to play tennis left-handed, despite the Spaniard being naturally right-handed. The unusual move paid off, as the pair worked together to achieve 16 Grand Slam titles, including a record 10 Roland Garros titles.
Earlier this year Toni announced that he would be leaving the tour to manage Rafa’s academy in Mallorca. Nadal has prepared for the move by adding former Roland Garros and World No.1 Carlos Moya to his team. Moya was among Nadal’s childhood idols.
Toni sent his nephew a beautiful message in El Pais upon the ending of the coaching relationship:
“I conclude a happy period of 27 years that began the day when the son of my brother Sebastian entered my tennis court at only three years old.”
“Today I leave your side but my path does not end here. I will continue to be linked to tennis because my enthusiasm and love for this sport, fortunately, remain intact.”
From the beginning of my nephew’s tennis career I tried to develop a strong and decisive character in him in order to face the difficulties of tennis in particular and of life in general, with which I have always considered that there is a common denominator.”
“Finally, and in a very special way, I must acknowledge and thank greatly, the person most responsible for my luck: my nephew Rafael. ‘The relationship with him has always been uncharacteristically easy within the world in which we move. Thanks to his education, respect and passion I have been able to unfold my way of understanding this profession.”
“Thanks to him I have lived experiences that have surpassed all my dreams as a coach. I have travelled by his side to incredible sites and I have met relevant and interesting people from many fields. ‘Today I feel greatly valued and loved because his figure has magnified mine much more than I deserve.”
Toni leaves his nephew in the perfect position of World No.1. Nadal won titles in Barcelona, Roland Garros, US Open, and Beijing in 2017, but ends the season with the old question mark over his knee, which forced him to retire from the Nitto ATP Finals after his first match.
