Toni Nadal: 'I never dreamed that Rafael would win so much'
For Toni Nadal, being humble despite all the success was the key so that Rafael could keep playing at the highest level. Toni considered the humility the first thing. 'Rafael's dream was to become a top tennis player', Toni told NRC. 'But that dream should never hide the reality. We knew that it would take thousands of hours of training. You don't have to be satisfied, never. When, as a junior, he became the Spanish Champion for the first time, I told him: "Rafa, many kids did it and they did not breakthrough. That's only the beginning.'
Toni went on, adding: 'His first title as a professional in Sopot showed that we were on the right path. After his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2005 French Open, I asked Rafael: On what list do you want to be included? On the long list of players who have won one Grand Slam or do we go for more? That's your choice.'
Toni still struggles to believe that his nephew is an 11-time French Open winner: 'I never dreamed that Rafael would win so much. It's an unbelievable number.'
For Toni, the Academy now is the priority: 'I lived a lot of highlights with Rafael. But I get the full satisfaction from training in Manacor with the kids of the academy. Roland Garros is too far for them. They need to be inspired by the idea that Rafael started to like them. With a racket and a dream.'
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from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2QZcwSY
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