Toni Nadal, uncle and former coach of World No.2 Rafael Nadal during a training session a few years back. (Getty Images)
Toni Nadal spoke about the two tennis superstars while doing an interview recently
Toni Nadal compared the rivalry between Roger Federer and his nephew Rafael Nadal with two of the greatest South American clubs.
According to Rafa’s uncle and former coach, Toni, the rivalry between the two tennis stars was similar to the one between River Plate and Boca Juniors – the two biggest clubs in Argentina.
The Spaniard with whom Nadal won the majority of his titles was talking to Radio Villa Trinidad in Argentina when he spoke about the spirit of healthy rivalry that Federer and Nadal had brought into the sport of tennis.
“The two did a good thing for the sport. I cannot imagine rivalries beyond the field, nor hatred of the rival. I think that both Rafa and Roger put into practice the essence of the sport that is about having the maximum rivalry on the track, but when the game ends, it ends,” Toni Nadal said.
“Go with River Plate and Boca Juniors. Do you want to see your maximum rival in the second division? Normally, you want to beat him, but not see him destroyed,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Nadal, who was coached by his uncle Toni for the major part of his career until 2017 is currently the World No.2, behind Serbian Novak Djokovic.
Toni Nadal also gave an insight into the advice that he used to offer to Nadal in order to help him improve and keep moving forward.
“I have never liked people who complain in life because I found that who does it are people who are less willing to do something to change the situation. People who are willing to move forward do not usually complain much. I always told Rafael. An excuse will never make you win a game,” he said.
Having won 16 Grand Slam titles with Nadal, Toni was the most successful coach in the history of tennis until Marián Vajda surpassed him in 2020 when he and his player Novak Djokovic won their 17th Grand Slam title together.
Djokovic grabbed his 17th title after winning the 2020 Australian Open which concluded earlier this year.
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