Toni Nadal hired as the coach of Felix Auger Aliassime

[MeatTornado]

Felix lacks the necessary talent to be with Toni. Will win 0 Slams with or without Toni.

That seems overly harsh. I'm not particularly high on him but he's been nearly universally regarded as one of the top prospects of his age group. If anything the talent is there but he needs a mental adjustment to win, which is exactly what a lot of coaches at that level help with.

Who would you say "deserves" to be with Toni anyway? A man who doesn't exactly have the most diverse coaching resume. Toni might just be a really average coach for all we know and happened to get to work with one of the most talented players ever.

 

[StrongRule]

That seems overly harsh. I'm not particularly high on him but he's been nearly universally regarded as one of the top prospects of his age group. If anything the talent is there but he needs a mental adjustment to win, which is exactly what a lot of coaches at that level help with.

Who would you say "deserves" to be with Toni anyway? A man who doesn't exactly have the most diverse coaching resume. Toni might just be a really average coach for all we know and happened to get to work with one of the most talented players ever.

Based on what? What are his achievements so far?

 

[Legend of Borg]

FAA of all players? Really?

Why not Sinner, Zverev, Shapovalov, etc.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Maybe Tio Toni can coach him to the point where he can finally win a set in a tour level F

 

[MeatTornado]

Based on what? What are his achievements so far?

His achievements include having better odds to win the Djokovic Open than that bum Nadal does.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

FAA of all players? Really?

Why not Sinner, Zverev, Shapovalov, etc.

Because FAA is actually being remarkably unsuccessful in winning titles, so even one or two will make an impression about the "success" of the coaching work, which is what the RNA is after: to create "credibility". Given that FAA is talented enough, and has been in many finals, it is inevitable that he will win some tournaments sooner or later, and Tio will claim that as "his" success and a credit to the coaching staff at the RNA.

It will be completely different with any of the others, who already won some titles, as then the hurdle that needs to be cleared for a "successful" coaching is much higher.

Like I said, it is a PR stunt for the RNA more than anything else. I wonder whether they are not experiencing some difficulties, considering everything that is going on.

 

[bjsnider]

Notice that Toni isn't agreeing to coach a player with an obvious ceiling, like Goffin or Simon, but someone with limitless potential, who is obviously receptive to coaching, unlike some who could be named.

 

[TennisIcon]

not a conflict of interest if they meet? Not that FAA will ever beat Rafa

he said out of respect if they do play he won’t be sitting in either player’s box.

 

[Jonesy]

I feel he wouldn't do this to just any player. He must have concluded something about FAA before making this decision. Excited to see the results soon.

 

[BeatlesFan]

It is a business decision to promote the so called "academy", and has nothing to do with FAA or his chances.

Though I agree with this cynical viewpoint, Toni sure as hell doesn't need to money or aggravation or travelling all over the globe with someone with whom he can barely converse. The Rafa Academy earns untold millions every year without the "bonus" of having FAA as Toni's coach.

 

[duaneeo]

Wow, this is news.

FAA of all players?

My first thought as well. Surely, Toni thinks FAA can be a multi-slam/ATG champion. I mean, Toni wouldn't even think of coaching a player who doesn't have ATG potential, no?

 

[BeatlesFan]

I thought he already looked a different player after a few sessions at the RN Academy. He looked very focused in his match against Shapovalov at the AO.

His focus didn't last long since FAA lost in the next round to Lion.

 

[aldeayeah]

Djokovic is the new Sinner!

nah he's been sinning for ages

 

[Jonesy]

nah he's been sinning for ages

His sin was to defy Fedal.

 

[Backspin1183]

His focus didn't last long since FAA lost in the next round to Lion.

He did. But he also reached 4th round of the AO for the first time and lost to a more focused and disciplined player.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Though I agree with this cynical viewpoint, Toni sure as hell doesn't need to money or aggravation or travelling all over the globe with someone with whom he can barely converse. The Rafa Academy earns untold millions every year without the "bonus" of having FAA as Toni's coach.

The RNA is his life goal and has been ever since he started (he is a tennis coach after all, being a director of such an "academy" is all he could ever dreamed of happening to him outside of his direct coaching of an ATG), so it is not unreasonable to think that he will do everything in his power to make it as successful as it can be. There is no argument suggesting that he is done with being successful, just because he coached Nadal once upon a time. The promotion of the FAA is a logical step in that direction. BTW, there is nothing "cynical" about that POW, FAA is small potatoes compared to RNA, and tennis coaches change the players they work with all the time.

How much RNA earns is up for a debate, but, just like any business, they are probably also experiencing difficulties, despite of being constituted as a luxury brand, which in general as a group has been less affected than the less prominent brands.

 

[helterskelter]

nah he's been sinning for ages

I was just satirizing the post to which I replied which said that the new big three had arrived:

Federer - Shapovalov
Nadal - FAA
Sinner - Djokovic

 

[Visionary]

Now this is a true bombshell.

Needless to say excellent move by FAA — his greatest ever decision since he was a baby when decided to get rid of his other toys and picked up a tiny racquet.

Just a hype and a wrong decision by Felix who is strugling in areas to be fixed by different kind of people than Toni.

 

[swordtennis]

Uncle Toni does not just coach anyone.
He must see something in the young lad.

 

[aldeayeah]

His sin was to defy Fedal.

His sin was not being Fedal, and he's payed dearly for it.

 

[JadeC]

How unexpected. Never thought of this combo.

 

[Sport]

That seems overly harsh. I'm not particularly high on him but he's been nearly universally regarded as one of the top prospects of his age group. If anything the talent is there but he needs a mental adjustment to win, which is exactly what a lot of coaches at that level help with.

Who would you say "deserves" to be with Toni anyway? A man who doesn't exactly have the most diverse coaching resume. Toni might just be a really average coach for all we know and happened to get to work with one of the most talented players ever.

Felix is already close to 21 years old and still outside the top 20. The opinion of the majority is not an indicative of truth, Felix has already participated in 7 Slams and has never reached the QF. Toni is an all-time great coach. Who deserves to coach Toni? A player with real potential to win Slams. Really, no single coach can make Felix win a Slam because he is not that good. He ain't winning any Slam, ever, regardless of the coach. Felix is a player similar to De Miñaur in terms of quality. Can De Miñaur win a Slam? Of course not. Even if Felix slightly surpasses De Miñaur's career, it doesn't change the fact that Felix lacks the necessary talent to win Slams. Only with hard work you can't win Majors.

 

[MeatTornado]

A player with real potential to win Slams.

Which is who, exactly?

If Felix already written off at 20, who are we going with? I don't think he's signing up with one of the older NextGens like Zverev/Tsitsipas/Med who are more or less direct rivals to Rafa at this stage.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Toni to get exposed as a coach?

 

[14OuncesStrung]

Nooooooooooooo

It should have been Thiem or Sinner or Alcatraz.

I dislike FAA.

If you're not going to tell us why you dislike him, then you're not really inviting any worthwhile or intelligent discussions.
Grow up or leave the forums.

 

[swordtennis]

Well maybe he can at least help get him into the semi's of majors.
That woulld seem to be a moderate goal.

 

[daggerman]

This will be another fun thread to bump in the future when FAA turns out to be much, much better than the cynics in here think he’ll be.

There’s a reason Toni agreed to coach him. You’ll see.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Felix is already close to 21 years old and still outside the top 20. The opinion of the majority is not an indicative of truth, Felix has already participated in 7 Slams and has never reached the QF. Really, no single coach can make Felix win a Slam because he is not that good. He ain't winning any Slam, ever, regardless of the coach.. it doesn't change the fact that Felix lacks the necessary talent to win Slams.

I agree with everything you said, but then why would Toni select Felix to coach? Toni has his pick of any younger guy to coach. Perhaps it's simply a cynical business decision to lure more "pupils" to the Rafa Academy? Or possibly Toni sees something most others do not see and I would defer to his judgment in these matters.

 

[Lleytonstation]

I agree with everything you said, but then why would Toni select Felix to coach? Toni has his pick of any younger guy to coach. Perhaps it's simply a cynical business decision to lure more "pupils" to the Rafa Academy? Or possibly Toni sees something most others do not see and I would defer to his judgment in these matters.

He has nothing to lose though. He either brings him to reach a ceiling that probably is not much higher, or he will stay about where he is. FAA has potential to be in the top 10 for a few years if he gets the right coaching. Worst case is Nadal coaches him and he stays around 20-30.

 

[daggerman]

Felix has already participated in 7 Slams and has never reached the QF.

Meh, neither did Roger Federer in his first 7 appearances. Not a big deal.

 

[Mainad]

By the way, FAA's first language is French. Catalan has many similarities with French.

Doubt they are mutually intelligible enough for normal conversation.

 

[daggerman]

He has nothing to lose though. He either brings him to reach a ceiling that probably is not much higher, or he will stay about where he is. FAA has potential to be in the top 10 for a few years if he gets the right coaching. Worst case is Nadal coaches him and he stays around 20-30.

Man, you and I both know Toni wouldn’t sign up to coach a player whose ceiling isn’t much higher than top 20.

Toni clearly thinks his ceiling is much higher than that. Maybe he’s wrong and the skeptics in here are right. But I doubt it.

 

[bjsnider]

Story, with statement from FAA: https://www.tsn.ca/felix-auger-aliassime-adds-toni-nadal-to-coaching-team-1.1620091

“I will be working with Toni starting from this tournament,” Auger-Aliassime told reporters via Zoom. “We also had the chance to work with him and Fred and the rest of my team in Mallorca in December but officially starting our relationship now.

Doesn't sound like a short term thing.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Man, you and I both know Toni wouldn’t sign up to coach a player whose ceiling isn’t much higher than top 20.

Maybe its the only guy he could get.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Man, you and I both know Toni wouldn’t sign up to coach a player whose ceiling isn’t much higher than top 20.

Toni clearly thinks his ceiling is much higher than that. Maybe he’s wrong and everybody here is right. But I doubt it.

Do you deliberately create fake news just to "disprove" them later?

Several people in this thread, including me, already stated that it is inevitable that FAA will win in the future (with or without Toni Nadal), and also that he has a much higher ceiling than someone like Simon, which directly contradicts your summation about the sentiments towards FAA as a player in this thread.

 

[Omega_7000]

Djokovic is the new Sinner!

Djokovic is a poor man's Sinner

 

[daggerman]

Do you deliberately create fake news just to "disprove" them later?

Several people in this thread, including me, already stated that it is inevitable that FAA will win in the future (with or without Toni Nadal), and also that he has a much higher ceiling than someone like Simon, which directly contradicts your summation about the sentiments towards FAA as a player in this thread.

That's a strange way of saying you agree with me, big bro. Though I guess I can understand why you'd still be bitter about my schooling you on numerous occasions.

 

[Raiden]

FAA of all players? Really?

Why not Sinner, Zverev, Shapovalov, etc.

LMAO Zverev? You cannot be serious. Someone like Zverev will never be coached by tio Toni. Coaching a brat with a an awful personal baggage? No pasa nada.

Felix had to prove himself he was worth it, in a trial that lasted 10 days. This was not just a tennis and fitness test. No doubt matters like FAA's work ethic, character and even personality were judged by the Mallorcan — and found satisfactory. Bratrev and his meddling back-of-the-neck-hovering daddy would have flunked the test, probably on day one (assuming their ego would even allow them to undergo something like this). Look how disastrous their collaboraton was with Lendl. Ivan regrets jumping in with the Zverevs so much that he retired forever.

Shapo mght be touch-and-go for Toni — just about acceptable (if he jumped thru a lot of hoops like proving that his music side-hobby is helping his game and not distracting him). Sinner on the other hand would easily pass the test — however why would Toni want Sinner? He's not attractive for Tony. Dude is already on the upswing so even if we assume he is looking for a coach, Toni would probably say no, because there is pressure to keep things as they are. Toni is not looking for a job, an easy ride — he is a goddamn CEO of a vast sprawling complex. He doesn't need an employment. At this stage, tio Toni only cares about legacy. That's where FAA comes in. With the Canadian kid who is now universally regarded as a flop, Toni would add to his legacy as a goat and mastermind.

It also helped that FAA himself came to Toni (he wasn't contacted by a fancy agent as usual). That's already a win in the eyes of Toni. Humble dedication.

So clearly FAA appealed to Tio's pride, legacy, and sense of adventure. "I have zero titles — can you make me a champion? Si senor. Yes I can. And I will. Cuz I'm that good.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

That's a strange way of saying you agree with me, big bro. Though I guess I can understand why you'd still be bitter about my schooling you on numerous occasions.

It is a strange way for you to agree with numerous other posters before you, by first claiming that they said the opposite of what they said, and then, when corrected, to claim that they agree with you.

 

[Nostradamus]

‘I never fired him’ – Rafael Nadal explains why Uncle Toni was replaced as coach

https://tennis head.net/i-never-fir...xplains-why-uncle-toni-was-replaced-as-coach/

 

[Nostradamus]

 

[Sudacafan]

Is this real? Lol.

If so, a lot of pressure is going to be on Toni to prove that he is a great coach, and not just the coach of a great player.

And not just the uncle of a great player, go figure.

 

[Sudacafan]

‘I never fired him’ – Rafael Nadal explains why Uncle Toni was replaced as coach

https://tennis head.net/i-never-fir...xplains-why-uncle-toni-was-replaced-as-coach/

Can’t open link.

 

[daggerman]

It is a strange way for you to agree with numerous other posters before you, by first claiming that they said the opposite of what you claim that they said, and then, when corrected, to claim that they agree with you.

I mean, if you read this entire thread and don't realize the prevailing sentiment about Felix is that he isn't a future slam champion and that Toni was better off coaching a different young prospect, then it can't be helped. I don't have time to give you elementary reading lessons.

Yes, some people other than myself are bullish on Felix (including Toni, apparently), but most on this forum aren't. You just choose to ignore that because your entire existence on this forum is centered on engaging in useless pedantry olympics with people who are smarter than you.

 

[Sudacafan]

Poor Toni.

He wants big challenges. Seems he didn’t like much to stay at home.

 

[Nostradamus]

Can’t open link.

there is no space between tennis and head

 

[Nostradamus]

March 30, 2021

Rafa Nadal, Tennis News
‘I never fired him’ – Rafael Nadal explains why Uncle Toni was replaced as coach
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• Rafael Nadal says he never fired his uncle Toni Nadal as his coach, saying he choose to leave for his own reasons.

Toni oversaw the majority of Nadal’s career before he made the switch to former world number one Carlos Moya in 2016.
Rafael Nadal, though, has explained it was Toni’s decision to break their coaching partnership, not him.

“I have been having the same team since I was 15 years old,” Nadal said. “Uncle Toni left because he was tired of traveling.”

Nadal won 14 of his 20 Grand Slam titles under Toni, who now works as the primary coach at the Spaniard’s academy in Majorca.
Despite all of his success, Nadal says he has never blamed any member of his team for a failure – because he is solely responsible.
“I trust them [coaching team members] a lot,” he said.

“When things go bad, it’s just my fault. You can’t find excuses.”

Rafael Nadal has stepped away from the ATP Tour at the moment, skipping Miami to focus on his preparations for the clay campaign.

 

[Sudacafan]

there is no space between tennis and head

Thanks. Though it took me took me some seconds to realize that was literal.

 

[Nostradamus]

^^^WOW,, RAFA is truly humble......... he only blames himself for his losses and things that went wrong........... WOW.. i am impressed

 

[Sudacafan]

March 30, 2021

Rafa Nadal, Tennis News
‘I never fired him’ – Rafael Nadal explains why Uncle Toni was replaced as coach
Share:
1Share

• Rafael Nadal says he never fired his uncle Toni Nadal as his coach, saying he choose to leave for his own reasons.

Toni oversaw the majority of Nadal’s career before he made the switch to former world number one Carlos Moya in 2016.
Rafael Nadal, though, has explained it was Toni’s decision to break their coaching partnership, not him.

“I have been having the same team since I was 15 years old,” Nadal said. “Uncle Toni left because he was tired of traveling.”

Nadal won 14 of his 20 Grand Slam titles under Toni, who now works as the primary coach at the Spaniard’s academy in Majorca.
Despite all of his success, Nadal says he has never blamed any member of his team for a failure – because he is solely responsible.
“I trust them [coaching team members] a lot,” he said.

“When things go bad, it’s just my fault. You can’t find excuses.”

Rafael Nadal has stepped away from the ATP Tour at the moment, skipping Miami to focus on his preparations for the clay campaign.

OK. Now Tío Toni wants to travel again.
In the middle of a pandemic. He could have waited a little bit more.