‘Felix Auger-Aliassime should become world no. 1 one day’

Again in December, Felix Auger-Aliassime got here to Manacor and skilled with Rafael Nadal and his uncle Toni. Toni, who stopped teaching Rafa in 2017, stood on the teenager’s facet throughout their coaching periods, and that ought to turn into a typical image within the upcoming weeks, as they introduced cooperation.

Toni will work with Felix in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Roland Garros within the subsequent two months, trying keen to enhance his already strong sport. Toni stated that he appreciated Felix right away when he spent these ten days with him in Mallorca, recognizing his potential and wishing to assist him chase his desires.

Praising Auger-Aliassime, Toni stated that he has every part it takes to battle in opposition to Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and others within the years to come back and turn into world no. 1 sooner or later.

“I already had a chat with Felix fairly some time in the past, and he left an excellent impression on me. Additionally, by way of my nephew, everybody has all the time had good issues to say about him. When the concept of working collectively got here to me, I informed him to come back to the Academy in ten days in order that we might get to know one another and to see whether or not what I needed to say to him could be of use.

I am nonetheless the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar, and naturally, I’ve labored with my nephew – I am his uncle, and I hadn’t thought-about being with one other participant. Understanding that I’ve the possibility as director of the Academy to work with a participant with large potential is a problem to me, and, particularly, it provides me satisfaction.

It is a problem for everybody. I would not be capable of work with somebody who wasn’t respectful, who had no values, as a result of I have been fortunate sufficient to work for my whole life with a boy who has all the time been respectful and has earned himself an excellent identify.

I aspire to that.

Toni Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime will work collectively.

I used to be delighted the second they put the concept to me. Let’s not beat concerning the bush; it is a child who theoretically ought to be among the many finest on the planet in years to come back.

It is all the time good to work with somebody like that. After I noticed him play for the primary time, we stated to Rafael, ‘this child might be excellent.’ And I believe that he ought to aspire to that. He left me with a sense that he was an awesome participant.

I noticed him in a Challenger occasion in opposition to Jaume Munar, a participant from our Academy, and I assumed, ‘What a participant!’ He was 16, however you would already see that he could be among the best on the planet. Now he has to work to substantiate it and turn into that.

For the time being, we’re in an period of tennis with some excellent gamers. Felix must compete within the coming years with gamers like Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and different gamers coming by way of, like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

The competitors might be powerful, however I consider he’ll be there. I’m very fascinated with Felix doing in addition to potential, and hopefully, sooner or later, he will be World No. 1. I am in little doubt. For the time being, he has to enhance, and I’m nonetheless Rafael’s uncle,” Toni Nadal stated.