This feels a bit like an April Fool& #39;s joke, but it& #39;s not. Uncle Toni, who shaped Nadal& #39;s game from beginner to No. 1, will coach Felix Auger-Aliassime but remain in charge of Nadal& #39;s academy in Manacor https://www.marca.com/tenis/2021/04/08/606ee53822601d5b6b8b4656.html">https://www.marca.com/tenis/202...
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& #39;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& #39;t stop being Rafael& #39;s uncle...Let& #39;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."