Posted by u/amy_sport 14 hours ago
[Marca] Toni Nadal will return to the circuit as coach of Felix Auger-Aliassime. Rafael Nadal's uncle and mentor as director of the Rafa Nadal Academy will begin his collaboration with the Canadian at the Masters 1,000 in Monte Carlo
I absolutely love this. I’ve been beating the drum for the longest time that Felix needs a better coach to make the jump to elite, hoping for Lendl or Norman or someone and finally here we are. As a Nadal fan, I’m not too concerned given 1) Toni stated he wouldn’t be in Felix’s box if the two were to play and 2) I’m sure Nadal gave some sign-off. Plus he still has Moya, whose impact on his game off clay has been something special.
Moya has been a blessing for Rafa's backhand and serve. The way he revamped those shots after 2017 is nothing short of extraordinary.
No racket smashes for you now Felix.
He already doesn't get aggro lol. It might have happened like once or twice over the last 3 years where you can find an example, but he's really reserved.
This is the best news! If uncle Toni can’t coax out the champion who can? Felix has the right temperament- humble and hard working
Top 10 tennis betrayals
apology for poor english
where were you when ralph nadil confidence dies
i was sat at home drinking brain fluid when fed ring
'ralph is die'
'no'
and you???????????
YES. FUCKING FINALLY FELIX. God dammit this is great news. Finally puts an end to the days of me having to constantly complain about his mickey mouse coaching. Hopefully Toni makes him perservere and take advantage of his athleticism in rallies a bit more instead of playing "aim for every line all the time" hero tennis.
The phrase "mickey mouse coaching" is always going to stick with me thanks to you, haha
I forget if Felix is already left handed, but if he’s not he’s about to be
As a Canadian Nadal fan, I'm not mad about it. Clearly humility, a good work ethic, and prodigious talent are requirements for anyone Toni's willing to work with. I hope he can take Felix to the next level. ^^^But ^^^not ^^^against ^^^Rafa.
>As a Canadian Nadal fan, I'm not mad about it.
I'm with you, except I'm fucking stoked about it. Canadian nadal fan as well. Been high on felix and following him since he was 15. This will be nice. I love that toni said he will not be in Felix's box if he plays rafa haha. I wonder if that implies he won't help him prepare for rafa as well? I hope so , but that would be strange to be a players coach but not help them prep for the king just because the KOC is the coaches nephew , lol.
This is it right? Please tell me this is it to end the day of me making memes about FAA's trophies cabinet
RaFAA
uncle toni's getting ready to traumatize another teen
what are you doing step uncle
1. Identify Rafa's most challenging opponent 2022 onward 2. Become his coach 3. Weaken him and report inside knowledge to Rafa 4. Profit
Felix is supposed to be Rafa's biggest threat from next year? Felix?
Toni says that if Auger-Aliassime and Nadal were to play in Monte Carlo or elsewhere, he would not sit in either player box by respect to both players and because he remains director of Nadal's academy (and his uncle) Toni Nadal tells Marca: "I have special affection for my nephew but if he were to lose to someone let it be Felix. I don't stop being Rafael's uncle...Let's hope that in the future Felix will be number one in the world. For now, he has to improve." Toni Nadal: "I could not work with someone who was not respectful and did not have values. I was lucky to work with a kid (Rafael) who was respectful and set a good example. I expect the same. Felix is a youngster who should, in theory, be among the best in world in coming years" Toni Nadal said he spent 10 days working with Felix at the academy in Manacor before deciding to formalize the coaching arrangement. "To know that as the academy director I can work with a player who has the highest goals is a challenge that particularly appeals to me." Important to note that Toni Nadal is joining Felix's team as one of the coaches. Will work alongside current coach Frédéric Fontang. "It will stimulate me because Toni has such an impressive record as a coach and has good values, which is important for us," Fontang tells L'Équipe [Quotes ¬ @christophclarey on twitter]
Fuck yeah. Thanks for this. But man i hope felix gets rid of fontang
As a Canadian Rafan, this is the best news!!! ¡Gracias para todos que va a hacer por el tennis canadiense Natali!
El Gran Natali, multicampeón del Tour de France and great scorer for Milano FC won't dissapoint you, mark my words! Vamooooooooossssssss!
Does this mean Fontang is out? I’ve been saying for years now he needs to go, FAA stagnated heavily for a year at age 17, and now he has done so again under him. Also, Fontang didn’t really do much for Pospisil when they were together.
Yea you were also calling for a new FAA coach
Maybe FAA can finally stop chocking so much... ​ I would love to see him develop mentally a little more, great guy and a good player, close to being big, but not quite there yet. ​ Can Toni Nadal make him Ombelibable?
I'm worried it's deep in FAA's soul. He'll improve but winning the tough matches is not natural for him
I thought he's tired of traveling
It’s been a few years. Maybe he missed it
Great, all the talent and athleticism but needs that mental game that toni can provide. Very very excited to see what will come of this. Have been following felix since he was a junior
Finalllyyy he gets a good coach. My question is why is fontang still around? Does he have dirt on tennis canada they need to keep him around? Anyways lets hope uncle toni helps with his serve and mental game
If Felix plays Rafa in a Final does Toni run across between both coaching boxes?
He won't seat at any player boxes, out of respect for both of the players, he said to Marca
The prefect coach to elevate FAA’s mental game!! So excited for FAA!
Wait so what happens if nadal plays FAA
Toni will be the umpire...
RIP the rest of the tour at the French! FAA is going to win all the Roland Garros tournaments once Rafa retires!
It’ll be interesting from a sheer neutral point to see if Toni is a great coach on his own accord, obviously he knew how to bring out the best in Nadal but to stand on his own with an unknown quantity is completely different.
I wonder if Rafa gave his blessing on this or not. It would be very sensational if Toni did this behind his back.
Rafa probably either doesn't care, or more likely was probably totally fine with this. Rafa and Felix have practiced together a few times and Rafa doesn't practice with people who aren't good enough or whom he doesn't respect.
Felix to join the big 3
Amazing news!!!
This is insane news! Wow
Time for Felix to make the switch to the left hand! Easy. LOL
so FAA will play left handed soon?
Poor Felix he is going to suffer hell and beyond
Bullshit.
so FAA needs a coach or an uncle?
Omg omg OMG 😍 I love this pairing SOOO much! Felix's main weakness imo, is his mental game. Rafa has the best mental toughness on tour, hopefully most of that was learned from Toni! I don't want to see FAA double faulting break points anymore. Yassssss back on the FAA train 🍁🍁
The audacity
Welp y'all ready for the all time greatest clay season?
I wonder what would have happened if he coached Thiem
Toni is probably more helpful as a coach to two-handed backhanders than single-handers.
What’s the relationship between him and Rafa today? Is it amicable or something else
Perfectly good Relationship between Rafa and Uncle Toni.
Felix is going to learn just how painful it is to make unforced errors now.
Interesting!
I’m wondering if this will turn into a thing like Patrick mouratagalou (Serena’s coach), as he also coaches Tsitsipas, and oversees coco gauff.
Toni is about to lead Felix to his first title in Roland-Garros against Rafa
I don't imagine any Nadal fan has an issue with this? Toni left Nadal's camp years back, plus Nadal's winding down, Felix is coming into his own. Sound decision from Felix imo (at least on the surface, knowing who Toni has coached). Really interested to see how it works out, especially with the mental side of his game. Legit hoping this works out amazing, we'll see.
Nah, I don't have any issues with this. I like this. FAA really needed new coaching and Toni joining his team has only upsides for his mental fortitude. His technique is solid and he does have the potential. I really hope this works out for Felix too, I like his game and it pains me to see him lose every finals he makes. Hopefully he archives his potential with Toni.
inb4 FAA wedgie-picking ritual
Somehow i doubt it will make a big difference.
It's Toni. His coaching will do wonders for Felix's mental fortitude.
I wish that Toni helped coach Rafa again with Moya. With two great coaches to help him, his chances to win more slams would increase even more. It's very illogical but I feel annoyed at Toni coaching FAA and abandoning his nephew.
A 20 time grand slam champion needs help winning grand slams?
this is gonna be weird. Really, really weird.
Why
Huh
I didn’t stutter
Didn’t see this coming!
OH MY GOD ITS HAPPENING
He will help felix turn his fortunes around.
Is Felix going to get yoked??