‘Impossible to Continue Playing’- Uncle Toni Details What Doctors Told Rafael Nadal

35-year-old Rafael Nadal wrote history by winning the Australian Open 2022. In doing so, Nadal became the first man in the Open era to win 21 Grand Slam titles. Additionally, he also broke his tie with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who have both won 20 Grand Slam titles each.

However, just a few months ago, Nadal had been contemplating retirement, owing to a foot injury that had kept him away from the Tour for the latter half of the 2021 season. Here is what Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal said about Nadal and his lifelong struggle with injuries and doubts.

Toni Nadal says doctors insulted Rafael Nadal with early diagnoses

Talking to radio channel Urbana Play, Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal talked about Rafa’s historic 21st Grand Slam victory. Moreover, he also talked about how Rafael Nadal had been on crutches just a few months ago.

Toni Nadal mentioned how Rafa’s foot had been a recurring problem and obstacle, “a problem that doesn’t go away”. In fact, he stated that doctors “had told us that it was practically finished”.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion’s uncle shared that doctors in 2005 had claimed that for Rafael Nadal, it would be “practically impossible to continue playing at the highest level”.

For Rafael Nadal and his team, it was nothing short of “insulting”, considering just how far the Spaniard has come 17 years later, having won a record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open 2022. Thus, for Toni, it is a testament to Nadal’s personality.

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“This was very important in making him competitive,” Toni Nadal revealed. “He (Rafael Nadal) achieves resilience, having that rebelliousness, that search for achievement,” his uncle described.

Toni Nadal shares how Rafa forged himself into one of the greatest

Rafa’s uncle Toni Nadal also shared a quote. “Talent is forged and built (during) calm, but it requires the storm to be achieved,” he said.

Toni Nadal, who is currently the Director of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, shared that “to build a strong character, you need many things”. Furthermore, it is this formula that he employed on Nadal as well.

“You force yourself to put on a good face every day, you force yourself not to complain, you force yourself to push to the limit every day,” Toni shared. Moreover, he revealed how in Mallorca, at the airport terminal itself, Rafael had thought “that it could be his last tournament in Australia.”

However, now, “he (Rafa) was well-encouraged by this victory, so he would surely come back next year,” Uncle Toni shared. Certainly, this is great news to Rafa’s fans across the world, who could never see enough of the great champion on the court.

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