Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni sends succinct 1-word farewell message to Spaniard following shocking retirement announcement

Following Rafael Nadal's announcement of his shocking retirement, his uncle, Toni Nadal, sent a single-word farewell message to the 38-year-old. Toni coached Rafael from his childhood until February 2017, during which time they won 16 major titles together.

On Thursday, he posted a video on his Instagram feed announcing his retirement. Following the announcement, tributes from around the world began pouring in. His uncle, who began coaching him at age three, also paid tribute on Instagram with a heartfelt post. It featured a picture of both of them, with Nadal holding the French Open trophy, and expressed his gratitude to the 22-time Grand Slam winner with a simple word in Spanish: "Gracias" (thank you).

“GRACIAS”- he said

The 38-year-old who is set to retire at the 2024 Davis Cup final in November in Malaga, has contributed to Spain's victories in the tournament four times previously, namely 2004, 2009, 2011, and 2019.

He missed most of the 2023 season due to an injury that required surgery. The Spaniard returned to the ATP tour at the 2024 Brisbane International but has only played in six tournaments since, struggling with injuries and fitness concerns.

His last tournament was the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he reached the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles with Carlos Alcaraz before being knocked out by the American duo of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. he has not competed in any tournaments since, including missing the US Open and the Laver Cup..

Rafael Nadal on his uncle Toni - “Thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career”

Rafael Nadal thanked his uncle in his retirement speech (Image Source: Getty)

In Rafael Nadal’s retirement speech, posted on his Instagram page on Thursday (October 10), the Spaniard expressed gratitude to his family members. He specifically mentioned his uncle Toni, acknowledging that the sexagenarian helped him overcome many difficult moments in his career and was the reason he started playing tennis. he also thanked his father, Sebastián Nadal, for being a constant source of inspiration.

“My uncle, who is the reason I started playing tennis. I believe that thanks to him, I have also been able to overcome many situations that have been difficult in my sporting career. And to my father, who I believe has been a source of inspiration for me in every sense of the word. I think he has been an example of effort, of overcoming. Many, many thanks to my father in a very, very special way," the 38-year-old said.

Since leaving the former World No.1's coaching staff, Toni Nadal has been the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain. He also coaches Felix Auger-Aliassime.