Federer is praised: Uncle Nadal teases Djokovic

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The uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal, Toni Nadal (62), draws attention during the Wimbledon tournament with a statement. In an interview with tennis magazine Clay, he says, “I think Federer and Nadal have changed their sport more than Djokovic. And Federer has changed his sport more than anyone else.”

For Toni Nadal, Federer (41, 20 Grand Slam titles), who retired in 2022, is the one who could play at a higher level and also do difficult things. Djokovic (36, 23 Grand Slam titles) is simply the one who has won more. And his currently injured cousin (37, 22 Grand Slam titles)? Uncle Toni: “If we count all the things Rafael missed through injury, he probably would have won more than the others today.”

35 Grand Slam titles?

But not only the injuries would affect Nadal’s successes, but also the underground. “He always plays three Grand Slam tournaments on the surface he’s not good at and one on the surface he’s good at,” Toni Nadal clarifies. Because sand is Rafael Nadal’s great strength – and only the French Open is played on sand. He is convinced that if the Australian Open were also played on clay, his cousin would have 35 Grand Slam titles.

Will there be such changes in the near future? Hardly likely. Still, it is clear to Toni Nadal that by choosing the rubber you can determine which tennis player wins how many major tournaments.

Finally, he comments on Nadal’s health: “I know, because I’ve talked to him, that Rafael wants to come back and recover well. And if he recovers well, I think he wants to continue.” But at the moment the doctor advises against playing tennis. That can only be done at a later date: “In a month he can start training on the tennis court.”

Source : Blick