Rafael Nadal’s coach, Uncle Toni, has confirmed that he will end his coaching partnership at the end of this season.
The 55-year-old is credited with being the mastermind behind Nadal’s development as a player. He introduced his nephew to tennis at the age of three and has guided him ever since. He was the one who encouraged Nadal to play left-handed to get an advantage in the sport, despite that face he writes with his right hand. Toni has guided Nadal to 67 titles on the ATP Tour, including 14 grand slam trophies.
In recent years, the influences of uncle Toni have slowly deteriorated. This season saw the recruitment of Carlos Moya to Nadal’s camp, a move orchestrated by Toni. The decision has now turned into something more significant with Nadal’s coach declaring that he will change his role in the future.
“By next year I won´t follow Rafael on the Tour anymore, but I will work only in our academy. I want to take care of the formation of young talents, which is the most important moment in a tennis player´s growth.” The 55-year-old told Il Tennis Italiano.
The surprise decision was made to allow Nadal’s uncle to spend more time working at the newly built Rafael Nadal academy. The academy features 26 tennis counts of different surfaces (both indoor and outdoor), two swimming pools, one fitness centre and one mini football pitch.
Less than two months ago, Nadal publicly stated that he will not be ending his coaching partnership with his uncle. At the time of Moya’s appointment, he said in a statement ‘Moya will join my team immediately and work together with Toni [Nadal] and Francis Roig.’’
It is unclear as to what has happened since Nadal’s comments last December. Toni has since said that the influence he has on his nephew is becoming less and soon he will have no say in Nadal’s decisions, prompting him to focus on working with younger players in the future.
“The relationship with my nephew has always been good, over all these years we never had any to argue about. But until he was 17 I decided everything, then the agent Carlos Costa came, his father got closer and everybody had his own opinion.” He said.
“And the truth is that every year I decide even less, until the point that I won´t decide anything anymore!
I travelled with Rafa for many years, now I want to deal with the training of the young people and our academy is the ideal place.”
There is yet to be any comment from the nine-time French Open champion regarding his uncles announcement.
