‘I’m Not His Mother’ – Rafael Nadal’s Uncle Toni Nadal Makes Blunt Admission as He Criticizes Young ATP Stars’ Annoying Habit

The process of making a champion has changed a lot over the course of a few decades. In a recent statement, Rafael Nadal’s tio, Toni Nadal, talked particularly about this change. He also highlighted the core essence of tennis as per his view. As always, Toni had some very strong opinions to present in front of the world. 

With the news of his nephew coming back, Toni had a chance to address many things at once. It seems like he took the opportunity and utilized it to show his true feelings toward the current generation stars. He put his unfiltered opinion about the teams managing all the new-age players. He also advised on what is the correct way of doing things.

Toni Nadal about his training days with Rafael Nadal 

Toni Nadal has spent a lot of time training Rafael. His view on the trend of players being surrounded by big teams stems from his own training with Rafa. Toni mentions a few things he dislikes about this process and how it’s not as organic as it should be.

The renowned coach stated that an individual player is followed by a huge team. He said: “The teams behind the players have become so large, so many stats, analysis, nutritionists and mental health coaches.” He also mentioned how he never had to worry about things like mental health with Rafael. His focus was entirely upon building his skills and a winning mindset. In his words: “Rafa never had a mental health coach, never mind a nutritionist. I’m not his mother, I don’t know what he ate or eats or how much he weighs.”

Uncle Nadal dives further into explaining how it is not essential to be dependent on such a big team. His idea of preparation is quite different from today’s standards. He expands on his strategy on how it should be done.

Toni Nadal describes his simple strategy 

Toni mentions how there is no need for mental health coaches in a team. He compares that it was just him and Rafael instead of a big team. He also shared their way of doing things. As per him: “It used to be just Rafa and I. Some days I would play him with used old balls, take him to poor quality courts to train and forget to take water so he could be mentally strong.”

READ MORE: Amid Highly Speculated Comeback Rumours, Rafael Nadal Confesses to ‘Accepting’ Tennis Reality as He Gives Sneak Peek into the Future

His simple advice to prepare for any game is to envision every game to be the last one. He confidently said: “It’s about hitting the ball as hard as you can, as if your life depends on every shot.”

Well, there is no certain formula to achieve success. To each their own, and no one knows that better than Toni Nadal’s nephew, the 22-time Grand Slam champion. Do you agree with Toni Nadal about players having too many people around them?

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