Toni Nadal: "I am happy that people see in Rafael a good person"

Toni Nadal, the key man in Rafael Nadal's career, has spoken to ATPTour.com about his nephew. The current director of the Rafa Nadal Academy, who did not attend the Davis Cup farewell match of the player he led for almost 2 decades, is very satisfied with the legacy he leaves behind beyond tennis.

In his statements he talks about his retirement, takes stock of everything he has done, his ability to fight, how badly he has struggled in recent years, his future and, of course, his most memorable moments:

"A few months ago, Rafael told me he was thinking about retiring. He wanted to do it in Malaga during the Davis Cup. Of course, it was something we more or less expected. We knew the decision would come sooner or later. I found out a few months ago because Rafael came to tell me."

"I don't like the word 'pride' too much. I feel very happy for everything he has achieved, obviously on the court, for everything he won. But, above all, the highlight and what pleases me most as a family member is to see how a kid who had the dream of being a great tennis player did everything he could without losing his way. He always kept his feet on the ground. Competing within the limits of correctness is, without a doubt, what has pleased me the most. I was delighted to see how much people appreciated that".

"Of course he can leave with his head held high. After all he has achieved, after having been there for so many years, he has earned the immense respect of the majority. He has left a good image in all the tournaments in which he participated. I think it's clear that he can retire with his head held high".

"Of course I saw him suffer. But I got used to seeing him suffer so many times during his tennis life. Many times he had serious injuries, injuries that looked like they were going to hurt him and even prevent him from continuing to play. So I wasn't surprised to see him suffer a little bit at the end. The truth is that, even seeing that suffering, I think Rafael can't complain because life has treated him very well".

"I believe my nephew will face his new life with complete normalcy. I always knew that all sporting journeys come to an end. There are no sporting careers that last 100 years. In any case, I think he's been getting used to the idea over the past few months. Of course, retirement is a difficult time, but I don't think it's too complicated to focus on the rest of his life doing other things. He'll probably throw himself into it with the same passion as he would into any tennis match."

"I will remember, of course, the 2008 Wimbledon final, the Roland Garros finals, the Monte Carlo tournaments. But, above all, I will remember the process that led Rafael to achieve those victories. I have told him many times: if you don't like the process, it will be difficult to like the result. I always gave a lot of value to the process we went through. Since I stopped coaching him, sometimes I remember victories from a long time ago, but also practice sessions at Club Tennis Manacor, when Rafael was a kid trying to improve his forehand and backhand."