Rafael Nadal reflects on Toni Nadal's demanding coaching while launching luxury hotel brand Zel

Rafael Nadal said his uncle and longtime coach Toni Nadal was "very demanding" but pushed him to tolerate high expectations, a method he credits as part of his success on the tennis court. In a recent interview, Nadal emphasized the balance between discipline and mutual understanding that shaped his career.

Nadal also announced the expansion of his hospitality venture, the Zel luxury hotel chain founded with Meliá Hotels International CEO Gabriel Escarrer. Zel currently operates four hotels in Mallorca, Costa Brava, Punta Cana and Fuerteventura and plans to open a site in Argentina. He noted that younger generations are shifting away from buying homes toward spending on travel and experiences, citing research on housing affordability and the rise in tourism spending in Spain.