"As an uncle I am very happy to see how my nephew is a totally normal guy, who plays tennis well and who has not changed his person" - Uncle Toni on Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal was showered with praise by his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal after capturing his 14th French Open title on Sunday by beating Casper Ruud in the final.
In an interview with Puentia, Toni Nadal was asked about how success has changed his nephew. Toni stated that the 36-year-old's achievements have not changed his personality and that he remains a "totally normal guy" who is good at playing tennis.
"I am very happy to see the evolution that my nephew has had, how he has gone from being a child with skills to being a great tennis player and how that step has not changed him personally. And as an uncle I am very happy to see how my nephew is a totally normal guy, who plays tennis well and who has not changed his person or believed himself to be a special being," Toni Nadal said.
Toni Nadal was in Nadal's corner for 16 of his Grand Slam titles and the duo parted ways after the 2017 season ended. However, Toni continues to be a major part of Rafael Nadal's life, serving as the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy.
He is also part of Felix Auger-Aliassime's coaching team and began mentoring the Canadian in 2021. Rafael Nadal beat Auger-Aliassime at Roland Garros this year in the last 16 in five sets.
Uno tiene éxito cuando tiene la tranquilidad de que ha hecho todo lo que toca puentia.com/noticias/toni-…
"At first I was the one who had to dictate everything that was done" - Toni Nadal on coaching Rafael Nadal from a young age
Toni Nadal also spoke about the process of serving as Rafael Nadal's coach. He asserted that when he began coaching his nephew, he had to take charge of his entire life. However, as the years passed, Toni Nadal transferred his knowledge and expertise to his nephew and gave him more responsibility.
"Rafael, when I started with him, he was a child. At first I was the one who had to dictate everything that was done and as he grows, I transferred to him what I had to do, I was giving him greater responsibility," Toni Nadal said.
King of Clay x 14 👑
@RafaelNadal remains undefeated in Paris finals, conquering Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 for a 14th title
#RolandGarros https://t.co/GctcC17Ah8
Toni Nadal compared the process of tutoring his nephew as a young boy to running a business.
"It's normal, I think that a leader of any company has to be practically the same, at the beginning, if he is the one who knows the subject, he will lead and as he gains confidence with the people he works with, the normal thing is that he transfers the responsibility and that, in the end, things work out together," Toni Nadal added.