Teachers' Day Special: Toni and Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal (L) hugs his coach and uncle Toni Nadal after defeating Mariano Puerta in their men’s final of the French Open at Roland Garros on 05 June 2005 in Paris. (Getty Images)

When Rafa was six, he found the racket too heavy to lift and would hit with a double-handed grip from both wings. When the time came for him to decide his forehand side, his uncle decidedly pushed him to choose the left wing; it has been one of sports’ greatest decisions.

The tactical genius of it is beyond comprehension. Rafa enjoys the balance a left-hander gets on his right foot, but since he’s naturally right-handed, he counterbalances both sides with equal ease. It is staggeringly hard to wrong-foot the Spaniard.

As well as being tactically solid, Rafa is one of the most humble players on the circuit. He has never been known to make excuses on court (or off it) or demean opponents before or after matches. Not once has the 27-year-old been caught throwing or smashing a racket, forget being called out for racket abuse.

Rafa fights like a terrier, and loses gracefully, the few times he does. But like most people, he enjoys winning. When he plays, he treats the game like a duel for life. He would die on court, but hit the ball for a winner before his heart stops beating. That is the sort of impact his uncle has had on him.

Rumours of a rift between the two did pass from time to time, but even today, the Nadal duopoly is all powerful in the tennis world. Uncle Toni has built a cult following for himself in the circuit, with his signature inscrutable look and a rare smile open for everyone to see.

After Rafa’s first round exit at Wimbledon earlier this year, Toni was spotted acting as a waiter along with Judy Murray (Andy Murray’s mother) and serving lemonade to the camping fans at the All England Club.

“My player played a bad match and lost. I have no more work here. I’m Manuel,” referring to the bumbling Spanish waiter from the classic British sit-com, ‘Fawlty Towers’. Toni’s refused to blame Rafa’s knees for the exit. His logic was simple: if he could win five tournaments with the same knees, he had no business losing.

With 12 Grand Slams and more than 20 Masters under his wing, we shouldn’t feel surprised if he exits the world of tennis with more silverware than his contemporaries from Serbia and Switzerland. Uncle Toni won’t be, and that’s a certainty.