Under the cover of his ever-present cap, always watching on from a distance, Toni Nadal has played a key role in the current era of professional tennis. The Balearic Islander, uncle and coach for many years of former world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, played an essential part in the building of one of the most complete competitors in the history of sport. The current director of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, whose tenacity, common sense and determination were perhaps instilled in his nephew, spoke to ATPTour.com about Nadal’s retirement from the professional game.
“A few months ago Rafael told me that he was thinking about retiring. He wanted to do it in Malaga during the Davis Cup,” Toni said. “Of course, it was something that was 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.”
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The conclusion of Nadal’s career was one of the biggest events in sport this year and its social reach was impossible to ignore. From the most passionate fans to his greatest rivals, everyone came to the same conclusion — Nadal’s retirement brought an end to a period of their lives.
How does Toni feel about it? What are his thoughts looking back on a career that exceeded all expectations?
“I don’t like the word proud too much,” said Toni, with a great deal of humility. “I feel very happy about everything that he’s achieved, obviously on court because of everything he won. But, above all, the most notable thing, which really pleases me as a relative, is seeing how a boy who had a dream of being a great tennis player did everything possible without losing his way. He always kept his feet on the ground. Staying competitive within the limits of correctness. That’s definitely what has pleased me the most. I’ve loved seeing how much people have appreciated that.”
A few weeks ago, Carlos Moyà confirmed that Nadal could retire with no regrets, with the confidence that he had given everything on every day of his career. That permanent state of self-discipline, from training routines to competition, is a reality that Toni champions, having seen Rafa grow from his beginnings to become a universally admired figure.
“Of course he can go with his head held high,” said Toni. “After everything he achieved, having been there for many years, he has gained the immense respect of most people. He has left a good image at all the tournaments he participated in. I think it is clear he can go with his head held high.”
For Nadal’s last few months, the inevitable conclusion was always present. He was taking the final steps in one of the all-time great sporting careers. That road, after so many legendary triumphs, came to an end because of a body that had been pushed to its limits for years. It is a reality that Toni observed from close quarters.
“Of course I saw him suffer. But I got so used to seeing him suffer so many times during his tennis life,” he explained. “Many times he had bad injuries, injuries that looked like they were going to impair him and even prevent him from playing anymore. Because I got so used to that, I wasn’t surprised to see him suffer a bit at the end. The truth is that, even seeing him suffer, I think Rafael can’t complain because life has treated him very well.”
Now, after two decades of being an international sporting icon, Nadal will go through a transition as he steps away from the tennis court. The legend is complete — now it is time to write the legacy. Without the routines he has followed for practically his entire life, he now embarks on a new chapter. Toni is confident that his nephew will take to this as he has done any other stage of his career, like a duck to water.
“I think my nephew will approach his new life with complete normalcy. I always knew that all sporting journeys have their end. There are no sporting careers that last 100 years,” said Toni. “In any case, I think that he has been getting used to the idea over the past few months. Of course, retirement is a difficult time, but I don’t think it will be very difficult to focus on the rest of his life doing other things. I think he’ll probably throw himself at it with the same passion as he did any tennis match.”
There are so many memories of Nadal’s career for a coach who has enjoyed some incredible times, situations that are etched in the minds of the fans, which Toni witnessed up close. Among the collection of memories from a life on the bench, there are some details he will never forget.
