‘Not Going to Tell Him’ – Toni Nadal Decides to Leave Felix Auger-Aliassime on His Own Ahead of Crucial Rafael Nadal Match at French Open 2022

Canadian tennis star Felix Auger-Aliassime won his third-round match at the French Open earlier against Krajinović. Interestingly, Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, is the current technical adviser of the Canadian. As Felix is set to take on his nephew in the fourth-round match, ‘Uncle Toni’ had some interesting things to say about their face-off. 

21-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal continues to impress everyone at the French Open 2022, as he cruised through to the next round. He beat the 26-year-old Dutch player, Botic Van de Zandschulp, in straight sets.

Toni Nadal talks about ethics when Rafael Nadal faces Felix Auger-Aliassime 

When the men’s draw first came out, everyone saw the possibility of a fourth-round match-up between Nadal and Auger-Aliassime. Even Toni Nadal knew that, as he talked about this particular match-up.

“I already told Felix that I am not going to tell him if my nephew has this or that. I am not going to tell the other how he has to beat him. For ethics they would not tell him either Rafael what he has to do to beat him,” Nadal’s uncle said.  (Google Translate)

It’s a dilemma for him, as he’s with Felix, but he’s also Nadal’s uncle. Apart from that, he is also a coach in Nadal’s academy. 

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A year ago, at the Monte Carlo Masters, Toni Nadal joined Felix’s team. In an interview with Marca, he talked then about the possibility of facing his nephew in tournaments. “If we have to play with Rafa, I will not be on either of the two benches out of respect for both players and because I’m still the director of the Academy, I’m still working for him and I’m Rafael’s uncle. I have a special affection, as is normal, for my nephew. But if he has to lose with someone, let it be with Felix,” Toni Nadal said a year ago. (Google Translate)

Nadal looked in great touch at the French Open 2022

So far at the French Open this year, Rafael Nadal played three matches and won all of them without losing a set. Today, he felt some sort of challenge from van de Zandschulp in the third set. Apart from that, he looked comfortable throughout the competition. 

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Meanwhile, Auger-Aliassime survived a five-set thriller in his opening match with Juan Pablo Varillas, where he went down early by two sets. Despite that, he showed tremendous resolve to win the match. Since then, he has played solid tennis so far in the tournament. 

Now, he will face Rafael Nadal in the fourth round. No doubt, Nadal will have a tough match in his hands. As for Felix, he has the ability to cause a massive upset. 

Who will win between Nadal and Felix? Let us know in the comments.