"I'd rather spend the hard"
by Fernando Goitia

After winning the U.S. Open, the world has surrendered at the feet of Rafa Nadal. Become the youngest player in history to win all four Grand Slam, now everyone is asking for the keys to its success. However, only Toni Nadal, his uncle, mentor and coach from earliest childhood, knows the answer. Humility, work, demands, discipline, self, illusion ... are words that has seared into the minds of a number. We talk exclusively to the man behind the machine '. "

Porto Cristo. Mallorca. A 13 km from Manacor. Nadal Territory. Everyone here, except the waves of tourists who visit the caves of Drach, meet any member of the clan's most popular island.

From home, Toni Nadal points to a mansion across the bay, dominated by a tower and surrounded by trees: "It is my brother Miguel Angel." The Toni, meanwhile, is austere, minimalist, with large windows and a garden that hangs over the cliff. Sitting on the terrace, the uncle and trainer of the youngest winner of four Grand Slam respond firmly to all who ask. Namely: the keys to success for him his nephew, Rafael, Rafa, no, illustrating with anecdotes revealing his own childhood, the family Nadal, his distrust of certain coaches and the press, his admiration for Vicente del Bosque ... Response to Response, alternating his gaze between the eyes of his interlocutor and the horizon line, Nadal breaks down the keys to their ideology. At 49 years, this father of three combined caution and strongly with the same ease with which his nephew racket opens the doors of history.


XLSemanal. Would you say has been too harsh on Rafa?

Toni Nadal. Yes, many times. Too [laughs]. Always tense string and sometimes you spend. I also coach, I'm his uncle and that is decisive. I have more desire to be good, more authority and confidence about him. These three things, on the other hand, do sometimes squeeze over the bill. I'm pretty hard, truth, word, at least. I do not like flattery. Runs in families.

XL. Has your nephew said something in the plan: "Yes, Uncle Toni, well, okay, whatever you say, but give me a break"?

T.N. Yes, of course, but generally ignored me. I remember once, in Shanghai a few years ago, we went down in the elevator of the hotel for dinner. Rafael went with shorts and his press chief said, "Hey, the restaurant has to go with long pants, and he added, although you will not tell you anything." I reproached him: "Go education that you give!". And Rafael, "Go and change your." That did it. Respect the principle of authority.

XL. "Without protest or take the lazy?

T.N. That's right. It was the No. 2 and was 19 years, but said: "I go up and change me." He was raised well and life seemed good. If a child, because to succeed, you give carte blanche to 17 years, it is normal that after 24 is an idiot. Not for Rafael. Is not no telling what to do.

XL. You were professional. At what age did your nephew to beat the tennis?

T.N. With 13 years. I told him it was wrong. And he: "Come now, if something happens when you lose. Or get dizzy, or back ... So there is no way to win [laughs]. "

XL. "In his career, he made mistakes that have permitted things clearer to train Rafa?

T.N. Sure. All my life I was shocked when people say, "If you were born again, would do exactly the same." It sounds arrogant and stupid, not willing to move or change. I was a rock player, very defensive, failed a few balls, but could not win a point. I understood that to be good had to do something different.

XL. Rafa has always been considered rock, but of course, he really knows how to win the points ...

T.N. It's funny. I always looked to be aggressive. The child was, cadet, junior, only soon entered the professional circuit [with 15 was the youngest player to win a match in an official tournament of the ATP], began to play with people far superior to him and found it difficult to attack. Over the years has recovered aggression and attacks all the time.

XL. Athletes are increasingly early, because they start at an early age. Rafa, if I remember correctly, had a racket three years. Not a lot of pressure for a child?

T.N. In the case of Rafael, I think not. The others have helped, but he is there by her desire to be there. Anyway, it is true that there is a growing precocity at all. Parents want to start young, there is much obsession with winning, being better prepared than others.

XL. "Nor was afraid that, being so young, the circuit was a little bigger?

T.N. Never, Rafael had worked hard since childhood, had the right conditions. Was, yes, bad luck to have a coach so hard [laughs], but I do not repent. I remember once we went to play a tournament at San Juan de Luz. I was 16 or 17 and he earned enough money. Had a contract with Nike and Babolat. At night he went with a friend for dinner and morning told me they had gotten a seafood and I reproached him: "At your age, you have to do is eat a hamburger." Never been to spend, in fact, just bought his first car and to this end, he asked permission from his father. He has always maintained feet on the ground. When you live from small and it is a habit, it is harder to derail.

XL. That it seems easy, but make as much money as young unaffected ...

T.N. It is very simple. Any parent or guardian know that your child will need to drive until you have 22 or 24 years. Does that change the fact that the child earn money? Not really. Need even more firm guidance, and who gets involved in situations with high potential destabilizing. Then he is guided or not. I have always endeavored to Rafael understand that it does is just a game. Play Well, yes, nothing more.

XL. Follow the same method with their children, I guess ...

T.N. Sure. Look, yesterday I told my seven year old son who had played very well and I replied: "But if you tell me if I'm really bad." And I: "Yes, well, so you know you better." Well, I let out a "I'd rather you tell me what I do wrong, and I will work more" [laughs].

XL. So, also missed a compliment once in a while ...

T.N. Just. Bad player who needs to be flatter all the time! The rewards are the trophies, the life they lead ... Sometimes you have to relax the pressure, but if I have to choose between being hard or soft, I'd rather spend my hard. The sport is effort and requirement. Why run, if not, 42 miles in a marathon, or get 200 on a bike? Best you catch the car, right? Behind it all is a personal reward. And this is hard.

XL. And talent, what is the role in all this?

T.N. Man, have or do not. But what makes the difference is hard work. Look Rijkaard's Barcelona. They were all good players, were champions of Europe but has dropped the demand and the failure came. Please note that athletes are young and, if not required, then get distracted. In the case of Rafael has had to stretch to be able to respond to each situation, explore their limits, instill that when comes the ball, always run to fetch it. If you can hit it 100 per hour and you hit 80, if instead of pick it up front, you're short, if you stand in place of stretch, this is how all your game lapses.

XL. Where did you come to love tennis?

T.N. The whole family we love sports, especially football. As a child, I won local competitions in swimming, I was champion of the Balearic Islands of ping-pong, chess ... all we did well. A I started playing tennis 14 years. Always, yes, I combined with the studies, as I demanded my father.

XL. "Your father raised him as you Rafa?

T.N. Well, my father is a music fan more than sport. In my time, education received by example. I knew I had to turn off the light because my parents did. You learn more of what you see that what you say. If you buy a girl ten wrists, give them less value than if you only have one. I can not imagine this course Education for Citizenship, you have to go to class to learn how to bow when entering a place or respect others. Just that force you to do and you teach by example. Discipline is essential in education. If you say something to your child and you do not, not going anywhere.

XL. Was internal, right?

T.N. Yes, in Palma, between 12 and 13 years. I did not like much, but ... Then I studied History and Law. I did not finish.

XL. Did Rafa left for training?

T.N. No, that was later. When ten years old, his father told him: "I am dedicated to Rafael." Not because I think of live tennis, because I do not charge a cent for training my nephew, but because the family situation allowed.

XL. You mean it was you or hire a coach?

T.N. That's right. With seven years and told his father he would be champion of Spain. In Manacor tennis school, I ran, I had a kid who was second in Spain and Rafael saw a much greater potential. It was much better than what I take to do so a stranger.

XL. "There was never discussion about it?

T.N. Nothing their parents alone. When things go well, there is never discussion.

XL. In the family, has anyone stopped working thanks to the profits of Rafa?

T.N. Nobody. His father works harder than before, since it deals with its affairs and those of his son. I mean I have business with his father, who, incidentally, I will not ever [laughs].

XL. You've spent more time with his father Rafa, no?

T.N. Small, yes.

XL. At what age did you start to think that would be professional?

T.N. I always thought, is what I think to motivate me. Raphael was scored a long-term goal: to be a great professional. Try things and not get them often happens, but in life you have to move forward dreams.

XL. Do you let others play sports?

T.N. Maybe it was stupid, but it bothered me that did not focus. One day I went to school for his physical education teacher at excused from gym hours to advance in other subjects. He already was a champion of Spain, world junior ... Then the woman told me: "It is not possible, is that here we do volleyball." Anyway. Go intelligence, is not it?

XL. When he began training his nephew, was already a method defined in your head?

T.N. For me, there is a fundamental principle: control. Of the situation, the ball, everything I do. A Rafael always said: "The coup is never going in front of the head."

XL. "I thought so before turning to him exclusively?

T.N. Before that, when he directed the tennis school, I saw a video of Jack Nicklaus [the best golfer in history] that changed my vision. Nicklaus said: "First hit away, then we'll think about putting it inside." I said, 'Hey, this guy must be right. " This is what I applied to Rafael: "First give strong, then make that pot inside."

XL. You mean that the progression of Rafa, somehow, is planned almost from the start?

T.N. Absolutely. The most important work was done between 8 and 17. Then it was let go. The sport is a mental issue. Create you the need, desire, all this intensity, it is basically in his youth.

XL. How?

T.N. Look, when Spain won the juvenile championship, with 11 years, I called the federation and, posing as journalist did not want to be misunderstood, "I asked the list of last 25 winners of this category and showed a dinner the whole family. I wanted to play down the success. I reviewed the list of 25 high and there were six who had come to professionals. In other words: "This may be a first, but does not guarantee anything." We've always kept that idea. See Juan Carlos Ferrero, won Roland Garros, reached No. 1, but ... If things by `h 'or` b', twist, you should keep the requirement, be self-critical at all times.

XL. Rafa actually has been almost a year to injury ...

T.N. If he was not mentally well-trained from youth, would not have held up that long.

XL. Have you ever been told Rafael: "I can not again I'm asking too much"?

T.N. Sometimes, uh ... Look, we were in Rome this year, was coming off knee treatment, trained with pain [sighs]. I hate to hear complaints, and when it hurts, or I go. That day was Tuesday and made his debut on Wednesday, hurt a lot and put a face. I said, 'Man, Raphael, put a brave face and not going anywhere. " And he: "Puff! It hurts me so I can not. I'd rather tell you because I can hardly stand it. " Then I added, "Look, you have two paths, say stop and go or suffer a bit and put a good face. You choose. " On Sunday, after winning the tournament, said: "This is the difference between endure or quit. Tuesday pains compensate you now, right? Always up to you to see it positively, put a brave face. "

XL. Few players have evolved so much in his career as Rafa. How has this ability to self inoculation?

T.N. He never accepted excuses to justify the defeats Rafael. I said: "It is the rope, you do not know what ...». I did not even let him know what strings he used because I tried, always, to take responsibility for their victories and their defeats. It is always a cause and effect: if you work well, you can succeed, if not, failure is most likely. We tend to overestimate, and if we fail, we blame others. When asked: "Why have you lost?", The reason is very simple: "Because the other is better." Then examine your faults, but this is the first.

XL. That's the result of the evolution of Rafa with the service?

T.N. I've always been very critical of my nephew, he insisted: "With this serve not going anywhere." And he: "Not so bad sack." And I: "What! "Drawing, how many of the world are you?". And he: "The 50 or so." And I: "What! There are over a hundred who draw better than you. " It is better to exaggerate the critical lighten it. Anyway, this latest shift in service for the U.S. Open was the brainchild of Rafael.

XL. Who trained you as a professional?

T.N. Nobody. I had a professor at Mallorca, but it was for free.

XL. Does being a coach requires players have been before?

T.N. Not imagine training without having played before. With experience in pressure situations, such as Del Bosque, Cruyff and Guardiola, you can help your pupils more.

XL. You, however, never lived situations as Match Ball in a Grand Slam ...

T.N. True, but something I could help. We have not gone wrong.

XL. Del Bosque mentioned. Do you identify with him?

T.N. Ten to Del Bosque, has done a great job. Anyway, I have never been trained, do not know their methodology, and not much believe in the coaches in any sport. If you have good players, there's nothing to do. I like people who always does when you win with humility. I do not like the rants of the winners. Establishing better to win something is stupid.

XL. When, before a tournament, made a statement on the fitness of his nephew, do you always tell the truth?

T.N. No. .. Let's see, at my age, I do not usually tell lies, but veiled by our interests, of course. Now, Rafael always tell the truth, well, almost always [laughs].

XL. "" The truth hurts, but curries "could be a top?

T.N. [Laughter] One day, playing the Davis Cup, he was lost important points and I said, 'Try to make more early points because when you get to deuce do not respond well. " He said: "Nor do you need to talk to me like that." And I, "Or I tell you or tells you the contrary, when you get to 40 peers and miss." Again, in Monte Carlo, before playing against Federer he asked, "What do you think?". I said, 'Man, he has a better drive, better serve, better volleys ...». And Rafael, 'Do not go, go forward! ". And I: "It's true. You will want to determine, please limit your conditions and see. " If I say that is better than Federer, I'm an idiot. He has 16 Grand Slam and Rafael, 9. What trick?

XL. Federer and Nadal are rivals to death and friends is something that everybody called the attention ...

T.N. Rafael, from childhood, was always clear: it's rival on the track. The hatred between rivals do not fit me in the head. Since the Madrid Barca hate, and vice versa.

XL. Does Federer is happy when he wins?

T.N. No, of course, hurts us in the rankings, but I would not wish anything bad. In football, this occurs at the end. Partners who are cheating, simulating fouls and penalties, injuring a colleague ... There are races that have been so spoiled.

XL. Do you think Nadal Federer does better and vice versa?

T.N. No. But Federer, Rafa would have been No. 1 three years.

XL. But the courts have been more bored in these years ...
T.N. You would have more boring you, but we do not! [Laughs]. We would have been good not having to face Federer. Sure he feels the same. It would be even larger.

XL. And one last question. Despite the successes of Rafa Nadal clan has managed to maintain a very low public profile. You never have pursued the 'artichoke' in hand?

T.N. Rafael, at times. Is one who puts the brakes on these things. Have left photos without permission ... Look, we're in a state where legislation is everything: how to bring children into the car, how to build your house, if I can drink on the street, everything is regulated, in contrast, press freedom, no. If the paparazzi to bother Members Zapatero and other celebrities, how quickly they changed the law! Caused the death of Diana of Wales and nothing happened, or are embarrassed. I am in favor of banishing TV gossip programs. There should be restrictions on press freedom.