Rafael Nadal: “Money Doesn’t make Big Players”

The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, has been at the zenith of the sporting world ever since he became a pro. However, he is not the only Spaniard to have made a name on the big stage. The tour has a handful of pro tennis players in the top 100 of the ATP rankings. Nadal was asked how Spain has managed to become a tennis loving nation despite not having a tennis federation that pumps in money.

“It’s true, we don’t have a very rich Federation like other ones, but probably we have other things”, said Rafael Nadal. “We are a lot of players in the top hundred, a lot of players in top position. Maybe because in Spain always is a little bit of everything: a little bit of luck, we have the right weather to play tennis in Spain, and we have a lot of tradition, a lot of academies, a lot of people working around the tennis.”

Nadal also said that although money might take you to a certain level or give you motivation to do things on a daily basis, but it doesn’t make a better player out of you. “Probably the money doesn’t make the big players”, said the Spaniard. “But the illusion and motivation to work, maybe yes. Maybe that’s why for the last 20 years we were there, no?”

Nadal himself has started a tennis academy by the name of Rafa Nadal tennis academy. His uncle Toni Nadal, who was his coach until last year, handles the academy now. Despite the success they’ve had together, Rafa respects his uncle’s decision to step down from the coaching duties.

 “I had the same coach for 27 years, 26, 24, so my uncle, I have to say thanks a lot to him in a lot of ways because all the things that he did for me”, said Nadal. “We worked hard during all my career with him to be a better player in all the surfaces and to improve my tennis. Toni, all the things he did for me since I was a kid is just unbelievable. Just can say thanks to him for everything.”