Toni Nadal recalls how Rafael Nadal proved legendary coach Nick Bollettieri wrong by surprising everyone at Wimbledon
Toni Nadal shed light on the time when his nephew Rafael Nadal surmounted the odds and went on to achieve milestones.
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Rafael Nadal along with his uncle Toni Nadal (credits: Eurosport)
Fans have come a long way from Rafael Nadal’s first Grand Slam match way back in 2003. It was the same year when a young 17-year-old kid from Spain began his conquest for greatness at the Wimbledon Championships. His longtime coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, looked back on his nephew’s debut and how he was undermined by a pundit named Nick Bollettieri during that time.
Toni talked about the scenario, saying that Rafa had just played three professional tournaments before that year. He said that Nadal had the opportunity to participate in any one of the four Grand Slams, and they chose to compete at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships. Toni went on saying, “He was just 17 years old and his professional career was limited to three previous tournaments: Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Hamburg. His first meeting was on court No. 7 against the Croatian Mario Ancic.”
Nick Bollettieri, a renowned pundit during that time, predicted that Rafael Nadal would get knocked out of the tournament right in the very first round. Toni felt proud when he said, “Rafael managed to not only win the match in four sets but also reach a creditable third round.”
This joy was shortlived, as the 17-year-old Nadal lost to Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan after his comfortable second-round victory over Englishman Lee Childs.
Rafael Nadal and his uncle made a promise before they left England way back in 2003
Rafa and his uncle came all the way from Mallorca to participate in the 2003 Wimbledon Championships and shocked the entire world with their perseverance and determination. Though Nadal couldn’t go past the third-round mark during his debut Wimbledon season, his uncle saw in him what the world couldn’t see. Toni was confident during that time that his nephew could adapt to the grass surface.
Before leaving for Mallorca and before leaving England, Toni promised young Nadal, saying, “One day we have to win here.” Toni concluded by saying that this phrase played a very important role in paving Rafa’s career. He also said that it boosted his morale to make the finals of Wimbledon in just two years’ time.
He added,“Good proof that we put in all our efforts were the five consecutive finals that he played on the Centre Court of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.”
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Soumyadeep Mondal
(882 Articles Published)