Toni Nadal wrote an emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal to thank him for all they have achieved together

Uncle Toni has ended his long-term partnership with Rafael Nadal, having introduced the sport to the world No. 1 and wrote an emotional tribute to his nephew to thank him for all they have achieved together. Since working together from the age of three, the Spaniard has won 16 Grand Slam titles – including 10 at Roland Garros – an Olympic Gold in both singles and doubles, and the Davis Cup on four occasions.

Throughout a long and illustrious career, his uncle and mentor has always been by his side, but from 2018 Nadal will be without his close confidant. He will continue on the ATP Tour with coaches Carlos Moya and Francisco Roig, while Uncle Toni will take up work in his nephew’s academy.

After parting ways following Nadal’s withdrawal from the ATP Finals with a knee injury, Toni wrote a touching piece to publicly offer up his thanks to the 10-time French Open champion.

"The Masters Cup of this last week has been the finishing touch to my career as coach of my nephew Rafael,’ he wrote in El Pais. ‘I conclude a happy period of 27 years that began the day when the son of my brother Sebastian entered my tennis court at only three years old.  Today I leave your side but my path does not end here. I will continue to be linked to tennis because my enthusiasm and love for this sport, fortunately, remain intact".

"From the beginning of my nephew’s tennis career I tried to develop a strong and decisive character in him in order to face the difficulties of tennis in particular and of life in general, with which I have always considered that there is a common denominator.

Finally, and in a very special way, I must acknowledge and thank greatly, the person most responsible for my luck: my nephew Rafael. The relationship with him has always been uncharacteristically easy within the world in which we move. Thanks to his education, respect and passion I have been able to unfold my way of understanding this profession".

"Thanks to him I have lived experiences that have surpassed all my dreams as a coach. I have travelled by his side to incredible sites and I have met relevant and interesting people from many fields. Today I feel greatly valued and loved because his figure has magnified mine much more than I deserve."

Source: metro.co.uk

Original article (in Spanish): elpais.com