Nadal’s Uncle Toni Marvels At Nadal’s Comeback

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 6th November 2013

Nadal’s Uncle Toni Marvels At Nadal’s Comeback

epa03864828 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal listens to his uncle and coach Toni Nadal (L)during a training session of Spain's Davis Cup team at the Caja Magica in Madrid, central Spain, 12 September 2013. Spain will face Ukraine in the play-offs for Davis Cup's World Group. EPA/JUANJO MARTIN |

Toni Nadal, uncle to Rafael who can cement the year ending world no.1 ranking today if he beats Stanislas Wawrinka at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, maintains the success so far of this year in coming back from a seven months absence with knee problems to win ten titles is already his nephew’s most incredible achievement of all.

The senior Nadal maintained he was pessimistic when Rafa stepped back on court in February at Vina Del Mar in Chile and most certainly did not expect the run of success that has ensued.

“This is better than we can believe,” said tennis’ foremost uncle. “My expectation from his first tournament in Chile was for him to try to run; not in this moment would I have considered London to be possible.

“Then, in Acapulco, he beat Nicolás Almagro, one of the finest clay-court players, and David Ferrer in the top five and it changed. Two days before Indian Wells, we did not know if we would play there at all but then he beat Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro. This is very special.”

Thereafter came what is now an annual imperious run through the clay court season, culminating in the French Open title; an apparent set-back at Wimbledon but then the stunning trail of dominance on North American hard court that climaxed with the US Open victory.

“I don’t know what else he can achieve,” said Uncle Toni. “I never know what more he can do. When we are in Majorca building to the next year, we don’t know if we are going to be at the top or not good enough. I hope he can be there more years and to be, if not the best player, one of them in a line for some more tournaments.

“When I watch Rafael it is not the same when I watch anyone else play. I don’t like the word ‘proud’ but when it is announced what he has won in his career the emotions are profound. Watching him I am nervous; it is different. Then, I don’t think what happened before: how many titles he has won. When he was young I was very tough with him, I said that when he loses a match it is not my fault.

“He has to take responsibility. He is not 15 anymore, he is old enough to make his own choices. To me, it is normal if you are always with the same coach. You can be a good coach if you are a good talker — in this life many things are not difficult.”

Nadal elaborated: “Coaching is simple. I don’t like to make philosophy about sport; sometimes

I listen to football players and coaches and they make it like science. If you have Lionel Messi, you can win the match and when you have others, you cannot. Tennis is for hard people because when you count the points to 15-40 you can win three points and then lose five and you end up with zero.”

Topics: 10sballs.com, ATP World Tour Finals, David Ferrer, French Open, Juan Martin Del Potro, Nicolas Almagro, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych, Toni Nadal, US Open

Follow 10SBALLS.COM on:

Facebook:

Twitter:

jontownend1 says:

November 6, 2013 at 3:21 pm

RT @VamosRafamily: Nadal’s Uncle Toni Marvels At Nadal’s Comeback
Toni Nadal, uncle to Rafael who can cement the year ending world… http:…
Rafafan2401 says:

November 6, 2013 at 3:25 pm

RT @VamosRafamily: Nadal’s Uncle Toni Marvels At Nadal’s Comeback
Toni Nadal, uncle to Rafael who can cement the year ending world… http:…
KarunRathee says:

November 7, 2013 at 7:38 am

RT @VamosRafamily: Nadal’s Uncle Toni Marvels At Nadal’s Comeback
Toni Nadal, uncle to Rafael who can cement the year ending world… http:…