"Rafael Nadal has fulfilled the promise he made" - Uncle Toni sheds light on Spaniard avoiding the same retirement 'mistake' as a 'well-known' player
Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni recently opened up about a promise the 22-time Grand Slam champion has fulfilled with his retirement decision. He also shed light on his nephew's mindset about finally hanging up his racket after all his attempts to prolong his career over the years.
Nadal recently announced his decision to retire at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, calling time on his legendary career. In an emotional video, the 38-year-old expressed gratitude to his wife, sister and parents for their unwavering support over the years. He also gave a heartwarming shoutout to his uncle Toni, crediting him as the "real reason" he picked up a tennis racket.
Toni Nadal, who has been by his nephew's side for all the highs and lows of his career, reflected on the difficult decision in an article for El Pais. He discussed the process of Rafael Nadal coming to terms with the "undeniable reality" that he could no longer delay the end of his career.
"Rafael learned to live with pain for many years, mastering it on numerous occasions and, saw how despite his doubts and uncertainties, he often emerged not only victorious but stronger. This was one of the reasons he repeatedly postponed his carefully considered decision," Toni said.
"In the last two years, he has simply continued his usual pattern of giving himself every possible chance — driven more by faith than logic. Ultimately, he has only agreed to accept the undeniable reality when it became clear that his body could no longer give any more," he added.
The 63-year-old also recounted a conversation he had with Nadal a few years back, where he outlined his concerns about a "well-known" former player's regrets about his lack of perseverance. However, the former World No. 1 reassured his uncle that when his time to retire came, he would do so with the "peace of mind" of knowing that he had given his career his all.
Toni emphasized that the 22-time Grand Slam champion had fulfilled the promise he made all those years ago, having avoided making the "same mistake" as that former player.
"Today, I can say with certainty that Rafael has fulfilled the promise he made to me a few years ago during a conversation at a club. I told him that a well-known former tennis player had once confided in me his dissatisfaction with his career — not because he hadn’t won more titles, but because of his lack of perseverance," he said.
"Concerned, I urged my nephew not to make the same mistake. With more determination than I expected, Rafael responded, 'Relax, Toni. When I go, it will be with the peace of mind that I gave it everything,'" he added.
Rafael Nadal on retirement: "I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best"
Rafael Nadal echoed a similar sentiment in his retirement announcement, emphasizing that he was leaving the sport with the "peace of mind" that he had put in his best effort and achieved more than he could have ever imagined.
"Everything I have experienced has been a dream come true. I leave with the absolute peace of mind of having given my best, of having made an effort in every way I can only end by saying thanks to all and see you soon," he said.
The 38-year-old will be in action alongside Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of Team Spain in their Davis Cup Finals quarterfinal against Netherlands, scheduled to take place on November 19 in Malaga.
Before that, Nadal and Alcaraz will take part in the blockbuster Six Kings Slam exhibition, joining Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune. The 22-time Grand Slam champion has arrived in Riyadh ahead of the highly anticipated event, which commences on October 16.