Rafael Nadal isn’t worried about the departure of his former coach and uncle Toni Nadal from the 2021 Mutua Madrid Open.
World No. 2 came so far in his life because of the guidance of his uncle. However, they are no more together for the past few years, but Toni is also the director of his nephew’s institute, Rafa Nadal Academy.
Toni Nadal trained Rafael Nadal during his early days in the sport.
Recently, at the 1000 circuit in Madrid, both the uncle and nephew got reunited once again. As Toni is now the coach of a young American prodigy, Felix Auger-Aliassime. Therefore, the Spanish coach went with his new pupil to the clay court, where he met his nephew.
However, elder Nadal had to leave Madrid because Felix got knocked out of the tournament, whereas Nadal won his match and moved to the next round. Further, Nadal was happy to reunite with his uncle but now he isn’t much affected by his failure as they don’t live together now.
Toni Nadal, Mentor of the Spanish veteran Rafael Nadal is now training the Canadian-prodigy Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Rafa reported on his uncle’s departure, “For the last three years, he is not with me anymore. So, for me, it is not a big thing. As I said earlier for me it is just positive that he is around and I can talk with him and see him.”
Further, the Spanish coach also talked about the ideologies he taught to the ‘King of Clay’ and now teaching the same principles to his new pupil, Felix. Toni exerted, “I wanted in my life, I always wanted to prepare my nephew for the future. For this reason to Felix, I told him to think how you have to play in two years and three years. And also work hard.”
Un cumpleaños muy especial ☺️@alcarazcarlos03 | @RafaelNadal | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/XHtn5UgWS4
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 5, 2021
Currently, Rafael Nadal is still playing in the Madrid Open, where he won his first-round against the Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz Garfia with a score of 6-1, 6-2. Now, Rafa will face the Australian Alexei Popyrin in the next round.
