In a surprising development, Toni Nadal, the legendary former coach and uncle of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, has shared his perspective on potentially mentoring Spain's current tennis sensation, Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros champion and World No. 2, is deep into his title defense in Paris, having confidently advanced to the quarterfinals and eyeing a consecutive French Open triumph.
As the 22-year-old phenom continues his impressive journey, speculation swirls about his capacity to secure another major and his long-term trajectory in the sport.
Now, Toni Nadal, the architect behind his nephew Rafa's unparalleled clay-court dominance, has broken his silence. He's offered his assessment of Alcaraz's game and delivered a decisive answer regarding the tantalizing prospect of guiding the young star's career.
Toni Nadal's candid take on Carlos Alcaraz
Speaking candidly on a Spanish podcast, Toni Nadal left no doubt about his admiration for Alcaraz's extraordinary abilities on the court. His assessment was brimming with superlatives, highlighting the young Spaniard's well-rounded and explosive game.
"Tennis-wise, I think he’s terrific. He does everything, and he does everything well," Nadal declared emphatically. He pinpointed Alcaraz's exceptional speed and shot-making power as key assets, stating, "He’s the fastest, he has devastating shots, both forehand and backhand."
While acknowledging the serve as potentially the least dominant aspect of Carlos Alcaraz's arsenal, Nadal was quick to add, "but I think he also has a good serve. He’s skilful."
Nadal did note a minor area for potential refinement, observing, "He fails a little sometimes, I don’t know if he’s distracted or tactically." However, this minor critique was swiftly overshadowed by his overall enthusiasm, concluding, "but he’s terrific."
He even expressed a personal preference, comparing Alcaraz to his main contemporary rival: "For me, I like Alcaraz more than Sinner, but nowadays, he’s a bit more reliable than Alcaraz." His final verdict was unequivocal: "Alcaraz, I’m telling you, an extraordinary player."
Following this effusive praise, the conversation naturally turned to the possibility of Toni Nadal, now free from coaching his retired nephew, taking on the challenge of guiding Carlos Alcaraz. His response, however, was both practical and tinged with familial loyalty.
When directly questioned about considering such a role, Nadal immediately downplayed the likelihood. "He certainly wouldn’t call me, he has enough good coaches," he reasoned, referring to Alcaraz's current mentor, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Nadal expressed confidence in the existing setup: "I don’t think he needs my help at all."
But it was his follow-up remark that revealed a deeper, more personal motivation for steering clear of the coaching gig. With a touch of wry humor, Nadal added, "And if he did call me, well, I wouldn’t want him to surpass Rafael, otherwise I’d have a problem."
This candid admission underscores the unique position Toni occupies – while deeply admiring Carlos Alcaraz's talent and potential, his ultimate allegiance and desire to protect Rafael Nadal's monumental legacy, particularly the record 14 French Open titles, remains paramount.
It’s a testament to the enduring bond and pride linking uncle and nephew, even as a new Spanish star ascends. Toni Nadal's praise for Alcaraz is genuine, but his coaching door appears firmly closed, guarded by the towering shadow of Rafa's achievements.