Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle and coach, or Uncle Toni, as we all like to call him, is one of the people who was always at Rafa's side in the toughest moments as well as the happiest moments of his life and gave his total support to his nephew, loving him as his own child:

“I don’t need to work, for me it is good just to be behind this boy, he is much my son as he is my nephew. I would not want to carry the rackets for anyone else.”

When we are talking about Toni Nadal, we are talking about a person with exquisite manners, a very modest and level-headed person, a person with principles, who is invariably attentive to everyone and never says 'no' when anyone asks him for anything. We are also talking about an objective person, who is down-to-earth and who has always tried to pass on to Rafa all these qualities and values.



From the moment he put a racquet in Rafa’s hand, Toni followed his progress month by month, year by year, and tournament after tournament, being happy when Rafa won important titles, like his third Roland Garros title or being sad when Rafa lost important matches or was injured.



Describing himself as a “harsh person” or a “harsh trainer”, he equipped Rafa with the idea that only with hard work can you achieve something and he never looks completely satisfied because he thinks that there is always room for more; for better. And Rafael understands that. He works hard to improve, to be a better tennis player each day and as we all wish, to be no.1.



But he takes all of this step by step, as Uncle Toni points out every time.

Between Rafa and Uncle Toni there is a very special bond which Rafa himself acknowledges:

“He’s a special person in my life. He was the first one to put a racquet in my hand and since then, he’s been with me all over the world. Furthermore, he’s family. It’s very hard to put into words what he means to me.”



Besides his work with Rafael, Uncle Toni is involved in charity works. He collaborates with Iberostar Foundation in order to help the social integration of children and disabled children from the Balearic Islands.



For all the things said above we want to send Uncle Toni a big “Thank you” and to wish him a “Happy Birthday” on his anniversary on behalf of VamosBrigade.com.