The year 2008 was a special one for Rafael Nadal. The Spanish superstar had won four back-to-back French Open titles and was vying to win his maiden Wimbledon title. Nadal had once again made it to the final of the grass-court Grand Slam tournament. However, up against him in the final was Roger Federer, the man who had defeated him in the two previous finals at the tournament.

Nadal began that match dominantly, taking a two-set lead. However, the Swiss maestro came back strongly to level the match 2-2. The deciding set was a keenly fought affair, with Nadal prevailing 9-7 to win his maiden Wimbledon title. Before the big final, Nadal had received some words of wisdom from his uncle, Toni Nadal.

Rafael Nadal received inspiration from his uncle before the Wimbledon 2008 final

In his book, Rafa: My Story, the former world number one described what his uncle told him before the big match. An extract from his book reads, “Ask Toni Nadal what his last words were to his nephew before he left the Wimbledon locker room at the start of the 2008 final and he’ll tell you: “I told him to battle to the end and endure.” Ask him why Rafa has made it to the top of world tennis and he’ll reply: “Because it’s all in the head, in your attitude, in wanting more, in enduring more than your rival.”

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Nadal has also described what Toni says to him during his recovery from injuries; “Ask him what he says to Rafa on those days when the body rebels and the pain seems too great to compete on court, and his reply will be: I say to him, ‘Look, you’ve got two roads to choose from: tell yourself you’ve had enough and we leave, or be prepared to suffer and keep going. The choice is between enduring and giving up.'”

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Nadal played through pain at Wimbledon this year

During his quarterfinal match against Taylor Fritz at this year’s Wimbledon, the 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered an abdominal injury. Subsequently, midway through the match, Nadal called for a medical timeout and received treatment. Although his father called for Nadal to retire from the match, he went on to play and win the match in five sets.

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Rafael Nadal has recovered from his injury and is expected to play in the upcoming Canadian Open, ahead of the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open.