“Roger Federer is the best of all time” When Toni Nadal put the Swiss Maestro ahead of Rafael Nadal just months after quitting as his nephew’s coach
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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Toni Nadal (Images via Imago
Toni Nadal is arguably the greatest tennis coaches in recent times as it was his vision and determination that made Rafael Nadal a Grand Slam champion and the World No.1 for a total of 209 weeks. Toni spotted Rafa’s talent very early on and despite Rafa playing football and tennis equally well, it was Toni’s insistence that saw the young Spaniard pick up the tennis racquet instead of a football.
Toni coached Rafa from his early teen days to February 2017 helping Rafa win 75 titles including 16 Grand Slam titles and remained the most successful men’s coach until Novak Djokovic under Marian Vajda won his 17th Grand Slam title at the 2020 Australian Open. Nevertheless, Toni remains one of the most important figures in Rafa’s professional and personal life as he is now the man with most Grand Slam titles to his name having won his 22nd major at the 2022 French Open.
“Of course I want my nephew to be at the top of the list not Federer”: Toni Nadal
Toni’s exit from the Rafa camp was not smooth sailing as the decision was not informed to Rafa who got to know the information from the press and not from Toni directly. With poor results in Grand Slam events in 2016 when Rafa did not reach a single semi-final in the majors, replacements for Toni were called by many tennis experts including John McEnroe and Toni himself felt that Rafa needed a new perspective in his team. However, months after he separated from Rafa, the coach had some surprising comments about the GOAT debate.
“Right now, Roger is the best of all time. Nobody did what he achieved. Rod Laver was also very good, but no one has won 20 Grand Slam titles, a Davis Cup victory, and many other victories. Rafael has also won 16 majors, triumphed four times in the Davis Cup – but Federer is better, he’s the best!
“Of course I want my nephew to be at the top of the list – not Federer. But of course, Roger is an exceptional player, it’s unbelievable what he has achieved in his old age. He is a special tennis player, has a great serve, a great forehand. I think he can play at this level for a while longer,” Toni had said in an interview.
With the criteria that Toni had presented back then, he would surely be looking at Rafa as the GOAT currently as he has added 6 more majors to his name since then and now leads Roger Federer by two majors as the Swiss remains stuck on 20 majors while Djokovic is positioned in the middle with 21 titles to his name.
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)