‘He Told Me That I Needed To Improve the Work of My Legs’- Felix Auger-Aliassime Explains How Rafael Nadal’s Uncle Toni Nadal Made Him Better

Felix Auger-Aliassime, undoubtedly one of the most promising young talents in the world of tennis, has embarked on a journey to reach his full potential. Although he initially struggled to make his mark on the grand stages, recent years have witnessed a transformation in his career. His entry into the top 100 rankings and subsequent rise to the top 25 occurred when he was just 18 years old, setting the stage for what was to come. Auger-Aliassime has participated in ten ATP finals, yet the elusive first title only arrived at the 2022 Rotterdam Open.

The turning point in his career seemed to come when he reached the semifinals at the 2021 US Open and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 2022. Despite a strong start in the latter, where he won the first two sets, he couldn’t clinch victory against Medvedev. It’s in this backdrop that Auger-Aliassime opened up about the adjustments he’s made to elevate his game and strive to be counted among the top players. A significant part of this transformation involved the guidance of Toni Nadal, the uncle of legendary Rafael Nadal.

From the year 2021, Toni Nadal assumed a new role, one that would greatly impact Auger-Aliassime’s career. He joined the coaching team, working alongside the Canadian’s primary coach, Frederic Fontang. To Auger-Aliassime, Toni Nadal’s experience represents a critical endorsement. He noted, “He is a man who has been through everything in tennis, and it is important to me that I have a certificate from him, in the style: ‘You are doing the right things. If you make progress in this and that, you could be a great player in the future.’ He gave Fred and me more confidence.”

The insight provided by Toni Nadal proved invaluable to Auger-Aliassime. According to the young Canadian, Nadal pointed out specific areas that needed improvement. Auger-Aliassime recounted, “He told me that I needed to improve the work of my legs and the construction of the points – I feel that I have done that in the last year and a few days, and that I can look to the top.”

While Toni Nadal does not accompany Auger-Aliassime’s team on tour, opting to dedicate his time to the Rafa Nadal Academy where he serves as director, his presence in the Canadian’s box during the 2021 US Open held great significance. Auger-Aliassime expressed, “It was important for me to have him at the slams, especially when I reached the semifinals of the US Open. For him, it is something normal, to be in such a late phase of the slam, so the whole team felt as if it was normal, that we belong there.”

In conclusion, it is evident that Toni Nadal’s involvement in Auger-Aliassime’s coaching team has proven to be a significant asset as the young player aims to establish himself as a top contender on the ATP circuit. This partnership holds the promise of further success and the realization of Auger-Aliassime’s immense potential.