Un party with a lot of appeal face Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 at Roland Garros with Felix Auger-Aliassime. And it is that Toni Nadal, uncle and mentor of the champion of 21 greats, is the Canadian’s technical advisor since Monte Carlo 2021.
Toni, aHe who has been seen on Rafa’s bench and also on Aliassime’sin this case acting as a coach alongside Frederic Fontang, is clear about what he is going to do on Sunday when his nephew and Felix meet.
A year ago, in statements to MARCA, he already made it clear that he would not attend the duel if the two players crossed paths in a tournament: “If we have to play with Rafa I will not be on either of the two benches out of respect for both players and because I am still the director of the Academy, I continue to work for him and I am Rafael’s uncle. I have a special affection as usual for my nephew. But if he has to lose to someone let it be Felix. I am still Rafael’s uncle, I have had a relationship with him for many years. Hopefully in the future Felix will be number one in the world. At the moment, he has to improve“.
Because of ethics, I wouldn’t tell Rafael what he has to do to beat him either.
Toni, in statements this week at ClayTennis, adds that “I already told Felix that I’m not going to tell him if my nephew has this or that. I’m not going to tell the other how he has to beat him. Rafael what he has to do to beat him.
The coach’s sons, Toni and Joan, were on the bench for the 21-major champion during the third round of Roland Garros against Botiv Van de Zandschulp while Aliassime qualified against Krajinovic on another court under Toni’s watchful eye.
