Toni Nadal doesn’t believe Carlos Alcaraz’s rise takes pressure off Rafael Nadal

Toni Nadal speaking.

Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, gave a lengthy interview to “AS,” in which he touched on various topics, including the rise of Carlos Alcaraz.

Rafa’s uncle began with a comment on Roger Federer’s retirement, “The farewell of someone like Federer is something that hurts you. Even though we knew he was close because he had not yet recovered from injuries. But when the time comes… A person like Federer, the reference he was, all the years we lived with him. In the end, this affects everyone. I, in particular, would have wanted Roger to continue playing. First, for tennis reasons, I really enjoy watching him play. And then because a figure like him is good for the sport. He is one of the greatest icons of the sport and probably one of the most respected, perhaps the most important.”

He went on to take stock of his grandson’s season, “It could have been an extraordinary season, but it was ruined by the constant problems he had. The results were good because he won the Australian Open and Roland Garros, but it leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth. At Wimbledon he failed to play a semifinal when he was playing well and was a clear title contender, he also had problems in New York…. An athlete wants above all to be well and play well, and also to win. My nephew has won, but he’s had more problems than you can handle sometimes.”

Uncle Toni then spoke about Carlos Alcaraz, denying that his rise will take pressure off Nadal: “I don’t think Rafael thinks about that at all. Rafael plays for himself, he doesn’t think if there is Carlos Alcaraz, David Ferrer or even Djokovic. My nephew plays and at the appearance of this or the other he learns it knowing that he is a tough opponent.”