Rafael Nadal: 'If my uncle had not introduced me to tennis...'

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Spaniard Rafael Nadal and Swiss Roger Federer, respectively in 3rd and 7th place in the latest ATP rankings, are the two players with the most career Grand Slam trophies (20). Followed by Serbian Novak Djokovic, current world number one, stopped at 18 with the last title achieved at the Australian Open 2021.

The Big 3, as they have been called over the years, have all decided to skip the Masters appointment 1000 of Miami, together with Andy Murray, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils. Finally, the surprising Polish Hubert Hurkacz triumphed in Florida, winner of players such as Denis Shapovalov, Milos Raonic, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrej Rublev, in addition to the success obtained in the final against our Jannik Sinner, certainly not at the best of his form.

In recent years, the world of social networks has acquired increasing importance, also used by numerous professional tennis players to share experiences on the Tour and be able to compare themselves with their fans, especially in a period like the current one marked by the Coronavirus emergency that has forced tournaments to go on stage without an audience, or at least with a small number of spectators.

Twitter is widely used, in which Rafa Nadal holds the record for the highest number of followers among tennis athletes: 15.7 million. In second place Federer, with about 12.7 million followers. Follows the American champion Serena Williams, the most followed tennis player on this social network with a figure that is around 10.8 million.

Rafael Nadal recently spoke at length about the people he considers to be the most instrumental figures during his playing career. The 20-time Major champion described the role played by his uncle and former coach Toni Nadal, as well as that of his parents, current coach Carlos Moya, Carlos Costa (manager) and Francisco Roig (assistant coach).

Rafael Nadal pays tribute to all the key members of his team

"Without all the people who have been by my side none of this (his success) would have been possible," Rafael Nadal said. "That if my uncle had not introduced me to tennis or helped me decisively during practically my entire career, I would not be where I am.

That if my father and my mother had not been willing to accompany me to a place every weekend and not doing the things that maybe they had other options to do, maybe they had more fun." According to Rafael Nadal, he might not have developed his perseverance and fighting spirit without the continuous support that he received.

"If I had not had the people who would have guided me on the right path, then perhaps I would not have had that spirit of perseverance, of overcoming," the Spaniard continued. "I think I have been lucky to have the people by my side who have helped me."