During last year's Madrid Open, television promos used cinematic drone shots of the Spanish capital's historic Las Ventas bullring in dramatic build-up for Nadal's matches.

The Mallorcan's personal logo, which adorns his on-court clothing, is an abstract depiction of two lightning bolts representing a bull's horns.

But his family joke about how, both from a young age and even still now as he turns 36 this year, he doesn't like the dark, preferring to sleep with a light or the TV on, and hides under cushions whenever there is a thunderstorm.

The 'Raging Bull' persona - typified by endurance, intensity, relentlessness, a refusal to accept he is beaten - is one built by Uncle Toni.

"I was a coach who took care more of forming and strengthening Rafael's character than to form him technically," he says.

The core skills which have enabled Nadal to win 21 Grand Slams, 37 Masters and virtually every other honour in the sport are still evident in his matches today. And they can be traced back to specific examples of Toni's tough approach in his youth.

Endurance, probably the most important word in the Nadal mantra, was built up in both the physical and mental sense by the long, unbending training sessions with Toni.

The indomitable spirit was encouraged by matches of first to 20 points, where the elder Nadal would let his protege get to 19 before upping his level and pipping him to victory.

Putting mind over matter was fostered when he played with a broken little finger in a Spanish Under-14s tournament, going on to win with a "limp, lifeless, digit" because he didn't want to show any signs of weakness to Toni.

The ability to play with clarity under pressure and problem-solve on court also came from his uncle - "the all-knowing magician of my childhood" - who would constantly analyse his mistakes.