Toni Nadal, uncle and former coach of World No.2 Rafael Nadal during a training session a few years back. (Getty Images)
Toni Nadal is not only Rafael Nadal’s uncle but also the tennis legend’s former coach. He is the current coach of Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The 61-year-old coach was instrumental in Rafael Nadal becoming one of the greatest tennis players of all time. It was Toni who announced that he would be stepping aside from the ATP circuit by the end of 2017 to devote time and development to young players at the new Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca.
Currently coached by fellow Mallorcan, Carlos Moya, Nadal, is currently plying his trade in the ATP Finals in Turin. He lost his first match of the campaign against Taylor Fritz. The former world No. 1 will now square off against Felix Auger-Aliassime in a crucial group-stage encounter. Uncle Toni will be in the young Canadian athlete’s box. Prior to the match, Toni refused to reveal who he wants to win and said that he will not celebrate after points.
Toni Nadal: “I won’t say who I want to win, but I will sit in Felix’s box. I won’t celebrate after points.”
The Spanish legend won his 22nd major title and a record-extending 14th French Open title at the 2022 edition of the competition.
Felix Auger-Aliassime faced Nadal in the fourth round of the tournament. The match was intense and both players had their moments. The youngster pushed Nadal to the limit but the experienced campaigner won the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
This was Nadal’s 109th victory at the clay-court major and it lasted a whopping 4 hours and 21 minutes. We should be having another thriller when Nadal and Auger-Aliassime lock horns in Turin.
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