Toni Nadal reflects on Rafael Nadal’s career in heartfelt column: “I admire you, Rafael”

Tennis’ favorite uncle, Toni Nadal, shared admiration for nephew Rafael Nadal’s career following his retirement announcement.

“What it has meant to me, from the early days of his tennis journey—when I watched him, racket in hand, pacing restlessly around the Manacor Tennis Club, eager for his turn to train with me—until his final strokes on the court, when I watched with concern as neither his shots nor his legs responded with the same freshness and strength as before, is beyond what words can express,” Toni wrote in El Pais.

The column's tiltle? “I admire you, Rafael”

“Everything that has transpired between those distant years and this final chapter, from his first victories in youth tournaments that hinted at what was to come, to his last great triumphs in Melbourne and Paris, feels like the realization of an almost perfect dream.”

Published on Sunday, October 13, I admire you, Rafael is an expression of gratitude, respect and admiration from one Nadal to another. Toni speaks not only on the impending retirement, but the legacy Rafael has created for himself beyond the court.

“…what has truly garnered him such widespread respect and recognition, even beyond the stands, is not just the number of titles he has won,” Toni wrote. “It’s the fact that he built his achievements on a foundation of strong values, and his ability to uphold them throughout his career: his integrity, his exemplary behavior in both victory and defeat, the passion he brought to every match, and his unwavering commitment to the sport and everything surrounding it. He embraced adversity and found ways to overcome it, and above all, he always showed respect for his rivals, regardless of their stature—even when some of them dealt him the most painful defeats of his career.”

“There are athletes who, due to their exceptional abilities, have become leaders in their disciplines; others who have magnified and even transcended their own sports; and only a few who, through their attitude and actions, have moved beyond the realm of sports to become leaders in society. I believe, without fear of being mistaken and fully prepared to accept any criticisms that may come my way as his uncle, that my nephew, like his greatest rival for many years, Roger Federer, belongs to the latter category.”

READ: Flashback: Rafael Nadal was at peace with retirement even in 2019 '60 Minutes' interview

While Rafael will end his career at the Davis Cup Final in Malaga, Spain in November, he’ll be competing this week at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Rafael became an ambassador for the Saudi Tennis Federation at the beginning of this year.

This single-elimination tournament kicks off on Wednesday, October 16, at 12:30 p.m ET, and will stream live on Tennis Channel.

“I have no doubt that Rafael will always cherish and greatly value his most precious reward: the immense affection and appreciation of the people in our country and many others around the world,” Toni wrote.

“All that remains is for me to bid him farewell with the admiration he has consistently inspired in me for his almost heroic way of fighting, for how he has always faced adversities and challenges, and for his ability to handle both victories and defeats with equal grace. Above all, I wish to express my immense gratitude for allowing me to accompany him during this stage of his life, which has brought me profound happiness.”