Former World No. 71 recalls Toni Nadal’s inspiring anecdote where Spaniard realized nephew Rafael Nadal’s specialty

Rafael Nadal once stunned his uncle by playing a match in an under-14 tournament with a broken racket.

Former World No. 71 recalls Toni Nadal’s inspiring anecdote where Spaniard realized nephew Rafael Nadal’s specialty

Claudio Pistoreli(L), Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal(R) (Via Imago)

Former Italian tennis player and coach Claudio Pistolesi recently recalled an anecdote about Rafael Nadal shared by the Spaniar’s uncle Tony Nadal.

Rafael Nadal had shown signs of greatness from a very young age. However, there is one particular incident that his uncle always looked back on which made him realize the specialty of the youngster who would go on to be one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. 

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In an interview with Fanpage, former World No. 71 Pistolesi stated that when Toni Nadal once went to watch his nephew play in an under-14 tournament in Mallorca, he was shocked to find out that his nephew was losing 6-0, 3-0 as he was accustomed to watching him win every match 6-0, 6-0.

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On enquiring, he found out that Rafal Nadal was playing the match with a broken racket as he did not want to use it as an excuse.

Rafael, you are 14 years old, how can you not understand that you cannot play with a broken racket’, and Rafa replied: ‘But uncle, you told me that I should not make excuses and that I should take responsibility for what I did.’

Claudio Pistolesi recounted Toni Nadal’s conversation with Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal reveals some exciting news about his academy 

Rafael Nadal has opted out of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, instead choosing to go back home and train for the Paris Olympics. With this being his last appearance at the Summer Games, the Spaniard hopes to be as fit as possible for the event. 

Away from the court, Nadal has also been expanding his businesses. He recently announced that his academy, the Rafa Nadal Academy, was the opening of a sports center on international soil.

“We are pleased to announce a new destination as part of our international expansion. We will open a Rafa Nadal sports center in Albania! Vamos! 

Rafael Nadal and his team announced via the official account of Rafa Nadal Academy

Before going to Paris, Nadal is expected to play in the ATP 250 tournament in Bastad, where he will get a chance to assess himself before the quadrennial event.

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