Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of tennis icon Rafael Nadal, has revealed that he never took a penny for coaching his nephew.
As Rafael’s mentor from childhood right up until 2017, Toni helped shape the legendary player who soared to an astonishing 22 Grand Slam titles. In stark contrast to other elite coaches like Nick Bollettieri, Ivan Lendl, and Brad Gilbert, Toni has admitted that not charging Rafa even a single Euro was a conscious choice.
Speaking to Okdiario, the 64-year-old said: “Because I didn’t want to charge for it. I knew that this way, everything would be easier; I could tell him what I thought I should say.”
He added: “Well…I would have had to be more careful about saying what I wanted to say because ultimately the one who pays does so to hear what they want to hear.”
Meanwhile, Rafael has often spoken about the intensity of training sessions with his uncle, revealing in his 2011 autobiography just how daunting their one-on-one practices could be.
He explained (via the Express): “Toni was tough on me right from the start, tougher than on the other children. He demanded a lot of me, pressured me hard.
“He’d use rough language, shout a lot, he’d frighten me – especially when the other boys didn’t turn up and it was just the two of us. If I saw I’d be alone with him when I arrived for training, I’d get a sinking feeling in my stomach.
“My friend Miguel Angel Munar reminds me sometimes how Toni, if he saw my head was wandering, would belt the ball hard at me, not to hit me, but to scare me, to startle me to attention.
“It was always me, too, who he got to pick up the balls, or more balls than the others, at the end of the training session; and it was me who had to sweep the courts when we were done for the day.
“Anyone who might have expected any favouritism was mistaken.” However, Toni has defended his methods, saying: “I was tough because I believe in toughness not as an end but as a means to achieve things.
“And I was tough because our goal was very high and especially because I had great esteem for him. I would never be tough on someone I didn’t feel great esteem and appreciation for.”
The approach clearly paid off, as Rafael went on to achieve incredible success in his career – winning 22 Grand Slams, 36 Masters 1000 titles, five Davis Cups and two Olympic gold medals for Spain.
The ‘King of Clay’ ultimately decided to retire at the end of last year, playing his final competitive game in the form of November’s Davis Cup. Capping off his retirement statement, he said: “Really, 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 finish by saying a thousand thanks to all and see you soon.”
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