Toni Nadal had a lukewarm response to former women’s Tour player as Spain’s new Davis Cup captain
Toni Nadal was criticized following his response to the appointment of the first female as Spain's Davis Cup captain.
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Toni Nadal
Former tennis player, Gala Leon will become the first women to take over as Spain’s Davis Cup captain back in 2014. Gala Leon was appointed the captain of the Spanish team, after Carlos Moya stepped aside from his duties. Spain have been one of the most successful sides in Davis Cup history.
Carlos Moya quit his role on the backdrop of Spain’s relegation from the World Group for the first time in 18 years. Rafael Nadal’s former coach and uncle, Toni Nadal had a pretty lukewarm response to Gala Leon’s appointment as Spain’s captain back in 2014. He believed that the appointment of the former tennis player could create problems in the dressing room.
“I have had zero relations with Gala Leon and I believe Rafa Nadal also zero, he has never mentioned it to me. But it doesn’t matter, I have never spoken to her but that doesn’t mean anything. It would seem to be more normal if the captain had been someone like Juan Carlos Ferrero, or some ex-player of a certain level, which is what has happened recently,” said Toni Nadal.
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Rafael Nadal criticized Spanish Tennis Federation for feeding a false debate
Toni Nadal received a lot of backlash following his comments regarding the appointment of Gala Leon. 14-time Grand Slam champion back then, Rafael Nadal came to the rescue of his former coach, hitting out at the Spanish Tennis Federation. He stated that the Federation was trying to break the unity and harmony among players, and that his uncle’s comments were taken in a wrong taste.
“It seems strange to me, as Davis Cup captain, that instead of seeking union and harmony between players, captains and the federation, she has incited and fed a debate that is totally false and absurd,” Nadal said.
Three-time Grand Slam champion, Andy Murray also backed the decision to appoint Gala Leon as the new Davis Cup captain. The Briton took to Twitter to congratulate the 40-year-old on this incredible feat. Andy Murray set the ball rolling at the start of 2014, as he appointed former French tennis star, Amelie Mauresmo as his coach.
“Congrats to Gala Leon Garcia for becoming first female Spanish Davis Cup captain today… hopefully first of many,” the Scot had said. Carlos Moya had been the captain of Spain for less than a year, as the absence of several key players saw the five-time champions being knocked out of the tournament.
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Nirmit Mehta
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