Toni Nadal, uncle and former coach of the Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, gave an interview to ATP in which he analyzed his nephew's career, addressing some issues that are very important to the coach.
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Rafa's retirement marked an important moment in the history of tennis, in which the third member of the Fab 4 after Roger Federer and Andy Murray decided to say enough. Only Novak Djokovic remains to represent what was the greatest and most spectacular era in the history of tennis.
Uncle Toni toldthe moment he learned from his nephew of his decision to retire, underlining how the 22-time Grand Slam champion can retire with his head held high.
"A few months ago Rafael told me that he was thinking about retiring. He wanted to do it in Malaga during the Davis Cup. Of course it was something more or less expected. We knew that the decision would come sooner or later. I found out a few months ago because Rafael came to tell me," he said.
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On the amazing career of one of the greatest tennis players in history, Toni said that he doesn't like the word proud very much. The coach said that he feels very happy for everything that Rafa has achieved on the court and for everything he has won.
"Above all the most important thing, which really pleases me as a relative, is to see how a boy who had the dream of becoming a great tennis player did everything possible without losing his way. He always kept his feet on the ground. Remaining competitive within the limits of fairness. This is definitely what pleased me the most. I liked to see how much people appreciated him," explained Toni.
"Of course he can leave with his head held high. After everything he has achieved, having been there for so many years, he has earned immense respect from most people. He has left a good image in all the tournaments he has participated in. I think it is clear that he can leave with his head held high," he added.
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The Spanish legend's coach said how naturally he saw his nephew suffer. However, specifying how he had become accustomed to seeing him suffer so many times during his tennis life. Many times he had bad injuries, injuries that seemed destined to compromise him and even prevent him from playing again.
"Having become accustomed to this, it did not surprise me to see him suffer a little at the end. The truth is that, even seeing him suffer, I think Rafael cannot complain because life has treated him very well," he said.
After twenty years, a new chapter in Rafa Nadal's life will begin. Toni believes that his nephew will face his new life with absolute normality, highlighting how he has always known that all sporting journeys have an end. There are no sports careers that last 100 years.
"In any case, I think that in the last few months he has gotten used to the idea. Of course, retirement is a difficult moment, but I don't think it will be very difficult to focus on the rest of his life doing other things. I think he will probably dedicate himself to this with the same passion with which he faces any tennis match," explained the coach.
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Toni concluded by recalling the best moments spent with his nephew, saying how he will obviously remember the final of the Wimbledon Championships 2008, the finals of the French Open, the Monte-Carlo tournaments. But above all he said he will remember the process that led Rafael to obtain those victories.
"I told him many times: If you don't like the process, it will be difficult to like the result. I have always placed great value on the process that we followed. Since I stopped coaching Rafael, sometimes I think back to the victories of a long time ago, but also to the training sessions at Club Tenis Manacor, when Rafael was still a boy, to try to improve his forehand and backhand," he explained.
