Once again, we echo the reflections of the coach of Rafa Nadal during the last 27 years. In an article published by the newspaper El País, the technician returns to give a lesson of humility, of good sense and of that knowledge that he has managed to transmit to his nephew. A true example that could and should be transferred to the world of paddle tennis.
Padel World Press .- In the hour of the end and end of their joint adventure, in which they have conquered 75 titles and in which they have shared many joys and sorrows, Toni Nadal wanted to take stock of everything he had experienced with his nephew since he gave his first steps with a racket in his hands.
Do not miss this interesting reflection, from which large and important conclusions can be drawn.
" Masters Cup This last week has been the finishing touch to my career as coach of my nephew Rafael. I conclude a happy stage of 27 years that began the day when the son of my brother Sebastian entered my tennis court with only three years. Today I leave yours but my path does not end here. I will continue linked to tennis because my enthusiasm and love for this sport, fortunately, remain intact.
Since the beginning of my nephew's tennis career I tried to develop in him a strong and decisive character to be able to face the difficulties of tennis in particular and of life in general, with which I have always considered that there is a common denominator.
I have been more annoying than gentle and more demanding than given to flattery. I have given him more of a point of dissatisfaction than of pleasure and I have always transferred all responsibility to him. Following the sentence of Francisco de Quevedo ("who expects in this life that everything is to your liking, it will take many dislikes"), I never made things easier for Rafael.
I have had the good fortune to live with a generation of great players, but I have always tried to ensure that the defense of my interests did not prevent me from seeing them from a more or less balanced perspective. I have never understood that the rivalry should go beyond the limits of the playing field and I have not considered any rival as an enemy. This has allowed me to appreciate, respect and learn from them.
We live in a society in which the dominant fanaticism, in politics above all but in the other areas also, leads us to only take our point of view and despise, underestimate and even hate the one who thinks or feels different from us . My support for FC Barcelona, so as not to move from the sports field, does not lead me to exaggerately extol all their performances, nor to vilify the bullfighter all of Real Madrid.
I think it would do us good to begin to moderate our passions in the sports field and extend it to all others.
The time has come to look back and acknowledge and thank all that this profession has given me. My gratitude is addressed to many people, more or less anonymous, who for many years have accompanied me on this trip.
I particularly want to point out the team members that began to grow with the entry of Carlos Costa, in the first place, and with the incorporation of all the others, whom I know I do not need to name one by one. I thank them all for their dedication, commitment, good work and, not least, their friendship. The coexistence with them has enriched me enormously as a professional and, of course, as a person. I would like to express my gratitude, also, to the Fluxà family for having wanted to join my name to Iberostar, a family and Balearic company, an example of human values and prestige within the hotel sector.
To all foreign journalists and, above all, Spanish journalists, who have shown both rigor and respect for the figure of my nephew and, by extension, for mine. They have not fallen into the practice of loss of prestige when things have become complicated for Rafael.
We have felt much more the encouragement and understanding on the part of the media that the intention to fire wood from the fallen tree when we have gone through crises in the game or when we have suffered from injuries.
To the fans who have moved to the different tournaments and have acquired tickets, who have interrupted their dream to watch night games, who have supported, applauded and have been excited by the victories or defeats of Rafael. His support and affection have helped him to raise many glasses and my gratitude, therefore, is immense.
Finally, and in a very special way, I must acknowledge and thank greatly, the person most responsible for my luck: my nephew Rafael. The relationship with him has always been uncharacteristically easy within the world in which we move. Thanks to their education, respect and passion I have been able to unfold my way of understanding this profession. Thanks to him I have lived experiences that have surpassed all my dreams as a coach. I have traveled by his side to incredible sites and I have met relevant and interesting people from many fields. Today I feel greatly valued and loved because his figure has magnified mine much more than I deserve.
Antonio Muñoz Molina says in his essay All that was solid and about people who held high positions just before the crisis, something similar to the following: "We thought we were up there because they are very capable and intelligent; when in reality, it is often the other way around. As they are up there, we have come to believe that they are very capable and intelligent. "
I leave you with this idea to avoid any overvaluation of my person and I return with my dear students in Manacor. Thanks from the heart and always.
Toni Nadal. "
Source: El País
Image: Christian Hartmann (Reuters)
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