Exclusive Interview with Toni Nadal: “Rafael Found Retirement a Difficult Step”
Nadal’s Longtime Coach and Uncle Speaks Out about his Nephew’s Retirement from the Sport
In a recent interview with https://www.flashscore.com/, Toni Nadal, who spent years as both coach and uncle to Rafael Nadal, shared his insights into the emotional challenges surrounding Rafa’s anticipated retirement from the sport next month.
The decision to retire, Toni revealed, was layered with emotion and complexity, especially for someone like Rafael, whose life has been deeply intertwined with tennis since he was five years old.
“Rafael never looked at tennis as just a job,” Toni said. “It’s always been his passion, his identity.” While tennis has brought immense joy and success to Rafael’s life, it has also demanded sacrifices.
His career had been riddled by injuries that often forced him to step away from the court, making it even more difficult for him to consider retirement. “There were times,” Toni admitted, “when Rafael wondered if he could continue. Each injury tested him, but he always found the strength to keep going.”
Coaching Styles
Toni also touched on his coaching approach—a style that had shaped Nadal’s tenacity on and off the court. His method balanced both physical and mental approaches to the game, creating an environment where the Spaniard could push his limits while maintaining his mental well-being.
“In elite sports, the stakes are high,” Toni explained. “You must push the athlete to their best, but it’s crucial to avoid crossing a line and causing burnout. Too much pressure, and they could break; too little, and they won’t achieve their potential.”
Over the years, Toni focused on fostering resilience in Rafael, ensuring that he could rise to challenges yet also recognize when to step back.
Looking toward the future, Toni expressed confidence in current world No. 3 and four-time Major winner Carlos Alcaraz, a promising young talent who has already shown remarkable skill and determination.
“Carlos is exceptional,” Toni said. “I truly believe he is poised to lead Spanish tennis into a new era.” Toni sees Alcaraz as a fitting successor to Rafael, with the potential to inspire a fresh wave of enthusiasm for tennis in Spain.
As Nadal approaches the end of his remarkable career next month at the Davis Cup final in Malaga, Spain, Toni remains grateful for the journey they shared together and remains hopeful about the future stars who will continue their legacy.
Nadal ends his career with 22 career Majors, 92 career titles and an Olympic Gold Medal. The 38-year-old will always be known as the King of Clay, winning at Roland Garros on 14 different occasions.
