Rafael Nadal is showing no hard feeling towards his uncle and lifetime coach Toni as he considers the possibility of a future replacement.
Uncle Toni has been an instrumental figure in Nadal’s career, introducing him to tennis as a child. Earlier this year he confirmed his intention to step back from coaching Nadal and focus on working at the newly build Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy. Speaking about his decision, Toni admitted that the impact he has on Nadal’s decision making has become less, making his choice easier. Nevertheless, he has denied any rift between him and his nephew.
“All this decision means is that my contribution needs to become secondary and that I will focus on the academy. This is the reality, but it’s not the reality to say I have a problem with my nephew. Absolutely not.” Toni recently told The New York Times.
The decision has been met with approval from Nadal, who is making his final preparations ahead of this week’s Mexico Open in Acapulco. Prior to the start of the tournament, the 9-time French Open champion told local media that he supports his uncle’s choice as the two relish their last full season on the tour together.
“Toni is completely free, like he has always been, to take his own decisions and to choose what makes him happiest,” Nadal said. “I am comfortable with what he decides is best for him.
“Probably it’s the moment to focus on other priorities and he said that the academy is one of these ones. It’s a very ambitious project and also we don’t have to forget that he has a family, three kids and two of them play tennis.
“I feel better when people who I love are happy and if it makes him happy, for me it’s OK. Before being my coach, Toni is my uncle.
Besides the formidable 56-year-old, Nadal has the luxury of guidance from others in his camp. Former world No.1 Carlos Moya joined his team at the start of 2017 and Francisco Roig has been a key member in recent years. Still, there will be a void in 2018 with Toni’s absence. It is unknown if he will be replaced, but Nadal is refusing to rule anything out.
“At the end of the year we will sit down and I will speak to Francis and Carlos,” Nadal explained. “Primarily I suppose my team could stay the same if there are no issues. I don’t know if I will need someone who can help me for some weeks, but if I do, it will be a consistent relationship.”
Under the watchful eye of his uncle, Nadal has won 69 ATP titles (including 14 grand slams) and has spent 141 weeks as world No.1. He will start his next challenger in Mexico as the second seed behind nemesis Novak Djokovic. In the first round the Spaniard faces Germany’s Mischa Zverev.
