Nadal broke up Toni: The whole affair

Nadal broke up Toni: The whole affair

One of the most successful collaborations in tennis history will end after the 2017 season ends.
Those who love Rafael Nadal will have a bit of anxiety next year, when no longer see his uncle - Toni Nadal present in the technical.

Only taught since Rafael was 3-4 years old, Toni's mark in 16 Grand Slam titles that his grandchildren won no small. After winning the US Open last weekend, Nadal knew it was the last Grand Slam he received from his uncle. Blissfully happy, part of his championship speech is dedicated to Toni.

It was Toni who discovered his talents as a child, and persuaded him to switch to grips with his left arm to take advantage of the competition.

Rafael grew up in the sunshine at Manacor, Mallorca, in the clay red clumps and Toni's strenuous physical exercises. In those years, I trained a clay court king and one of the legends of playing the left hand in tennis history. Under Toni's guidance, Nadal became one of the most energetic and athletic players at the ATP Tour.

At the age of 19, Nadal won his first Roland Garros title in 10 of his league titles - a record that could take a long time to break. It was the milestone that began the long journey of one of the greatest tennis players in the early 21st century. Over the years, Toni and Nadal competed in tournaments all over the world, helping their grandchildren. won 74 singles titles at ATP.

Rafi's spokesman, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, said: "He wants to spend more time with his family and the academy. Toni feels better that he should focus on something else, for one thing is to take care of the academy, rather than go on and on. "

Toni, 57, has three children and is the director of tennis academy Rafael Nadal. The academy opened last summer and is receiving 75 trainees

Of course, no co-operation goes from start to finish. In the summer of 2015, after Nadal was eliminated by Dustin Brown in the Wimbledon round two, John McEnroe advised the Spanish farewell to Toni and find another coach. But in the end, it did not happen.

Later on, Nadal once said in his autobiography that Toni was the last to comfort him after every defeat and the only one to criticize him after a victory. He may not understand Nadal's longing for victory and the disappointment he suffered when he lost the final of a major tournament, but always was Toni - the toughest person but also the one who pulled Nadal up after each one. Fail, tell him that another chance will come.

The partnership between Rafael and Toni goes beyond a normal business relationship. It was nurtured by blood and blood ties and partly because they both share the proud spirit of being a Spaniard - a nationalist spirit that Rafael has always displayed throughout his career.

Toni once said that if it was not Rafael, he would probably have stopped training long enough to spend time with his family. For years, everywhere, the man was tired and needed a place to leave his journey.

After breaking up with Rafael, Toni did not hide his concern for his nephew. Rafael may have been a Grand Slam champion, but legendary Toni, who was born in 1986, is still a four-year-old child who holds a toddler's grip.

He said: "Rafa is safe, I have been thinking about this decision a lot, this is the right time to do it, we have gone through a long journey, consecutive seasons. If not my grandchildren, if I train another person, I take a long rest. "

Toni was relieved that Nadal had a stable training team. He felt his nephew "safe" with Carlos Moya, Francisco Roig and a trusting team. At that time, he peace of mind to go. Break up but Toni does not forget to tell him that he will be ready to return whenever Rafael needs him.

In 2010, Nadal won his first US Open title, completing a collection of four Grand Slam singles and a gold medal in the 2008 Olympic gold medal. So far, only Andre Agassi has accomplished such a complete career.

In May 1974, Rafael and Toni Nadal announced they would end the partnership by the end of the year. At the time, Nadal had just lost Roger Federer in the Australian Open finals and did not know if he could win another Grand Slam title.

But Rafael has played an impressive season as a tribute to his uncle. He won the Roland Garros and the US Open, occupying a world number one spot. Nadal is the legendary clay face in Paris but he can also be considered one of the great champions in the US Open.

A beautiful end to the cooperation and gratitude that Toni deserves not only from Nadal but also from all those who love Spanish players.