In a heartfelt interview with Grand Slam champion Garbiñe Muguruza, Toni Nadal shared an intimate look at his coaching journey with his nephew, Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time. While many would assume that Toni’s best memories come from Grand Slam victories and historic moments, his most cherished times were much simpler.
“I’ve said it many times,” Toni Nadal began, “I enjoyed coaching Rafael much more when he was young than when he became a champion. Early training is a more decisive stage.”
Toni fondly recalled the countless hours spent on the humble clay courts of Manacor, Spain — long before Rafa lifted Grand Slam trophies or became World No.1. Working on basic skills, like improving his forehand, fine-tuning his backhand, or endlessly trying to perfect his serve, brought Toni the deepest satisfaction.
“Many people ask me about the best moment I lived with Rafael,” Toni said. “I’ve experienced incredible moments, but none compare to those early days at the Manacor Tennis Club, focused only on improvement.”
He also reflected on how youth sports have changed, noting, “Today it’s harder to coach young athletes because their environments often make them believe they are better than they are.”
For Toni Nadal, the real magic wasn’t winning titles — it was witnessing the small, unseen victories that shaped Rafael Nadal into a champion. Though they never fully perfected Rafa’s serve, as Toni joked, they built something far more valuable: a bond rooted in effort, humility, and a deep love for tennis.