Felix Auger-Aliassime
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has reacted to Toni Nadal coaching rising star Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Felix Auger-Aliassime has been rising through the ranks at a rapid pace. The 20-year old Canadian is the second youngest player ranked in the top 25 by the ATP, and he looks to have bolstered his prospects of rising further, as he announced a surprise partnership with Rafael Nadal’s uncle and renowned coach Toni Nadal, earlier this week.
The pair just made their debut at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters yesterday, and it looks like bright times are ahead for the young Canadian prospect.
Rafael Nadal who had a formidable run under his uncle’s coaching, winning 16 Grand Slams, seemed very pleased with Toni and Auger-Aliassime pairing up.
The young Canadian will also be a part of the Rafael Nadal Academy, which will enable him to improve and mature as the years go by.
Elsewhere, world no.1 Novak Djokovic acknowledged Felix pairing up with the great Toni Nadal. Referring to Toni’s excellent work ethics, Djokovic revealed that he would bring a huge positive influence to an already exciting Felix’s game and mindset.
Djokovic was quoted as saying :
“Toni probably was excited to explore a new project, a new adventure on the tour with one of the best young tennis players in the world at the moment. Felix is a great guy. He’s someone that has hard-working ethics, which is something that is very important for Toni. I wish them all the best. It’s nice to see Toni on the tour. Obviously he’s had his mark with Rafa for so many years. I feel like he can only bring positives to Felix’s game and mindset.” (H/T Roland Garros)
Having won the Paris Masters in 2020, Auger-Aliassime has begun making a mark in the Grand Slams as well. He went up to the fourth round in the recently concluded Australian Open before he was stopped by a giant-killing Aslan Karatsev, despite being 2 sets to love up.
Under Toni, he will be looking forward to improving his Grand Slam record, as all eyes will be on him during the French Open, which begins in a month.
Speaking of having Toni as a coach, Felix exclaimed :
“In terms of coaches, there are not many that have [had] a career like he did, really. It’s amazing to have him. It’s really a blessing to have a person like this besides me.” [H/T ATPTour.com]
Can Toni emulate the success he had with Rafael, with Felix Auger-Aliassime as well?
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