Rafael Nadal: I could not lie about Roger Federer to my nephew - Toni Nadal
RAFAEL NADAL was given a tough lesson in tennis during his teenage years to prepare him for a career on the ATP circuit.
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That is the revelation from Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal.
Toni coached Rafael through the latter’s burgeoning career in the 2000s and only quit touring with his nephew two years ago.
Nadal has won 17 Grand Slam titles and two Olympic gold medals during his career.
The Spaniard is still going strong and is now preparing for the clay leg of the ATP season.
Federer sure was not going to lie to him!
Rafael Nadal is five years Roger Federer’s junior and first played the Swiss in March 2004.
And Toni revealed he had to be hard on his nephew to ensure Nadal was ready for the likes of Federer on court.
“I wanted him to be prepared for what he was going to find,” Toni told El Pais.
“I could lie to him, deceive him, soften a complicated situation, but on the court he would see the reality.
“I could tell him that Federer had a worse serve than him. But Federer sure was not going to lie to him!
“I did more to educate Rafael's character than his abilities.
“Good shots make you earn points, but it is the character that makes you win matches and tournaments.”
Indeed, Nadal has accumulated a hoard of tennis trophies over his career and is gunning for a 12th Roland Garros title this summer.
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The left-hander has endured a knee problem of late that meant he missed the Miami Open.
Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and - until his prolonged injury absense - Andy Murray formed what was called the Big Four - a group of players who have dominated men’s tennis in recent years.
And Toni reckons Nadal and co. have benefitted from a lack of real talent coming up through the youth ranks.
“Today we have made fun the essential aim of society,” he said.
“We all have fewer obligations than rights. Having fun has its consequences, which is that we want things easier and in less time.
“That's why it's hard to persevere and move forward.
“The young people of tennis are good, but in general they have less commitment.
“I have seen several youngsters play but fight little, and I have seen Rafael, Djokovic, Federer, but never without giving the most.
“That's why, when we (Rafa and I) arrived on the tour, the best players were between 21 and 23 years old.
“Now the best are 29, 30, 32… or 37 years old.”