Toni Nadal makes Novak Djokovic jibe in Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer ‘respect’ claim
Toni Nadal has claimed Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer “have earned a higher level of respect” as he seemingly aimed a dig at Novak Djokovic.
The Mallorcan also criticised a gesture frequently made by Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz during matches.
The 63-year-old coached his nephew, Rafael Nadal, from his childhood until 2017 — helping him win 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. He is the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.
Rafael Nadal is playing the final event of his glittering career at this week’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The 38-year-old legend’s uncle recently spoke about decision his to retire.
“Rafael found it hard to retire because, for anyone, to stop doing an activity you like and have been doing for many years is hard,” Toni Nadal told Flashscore.
“Afterwards, my nephew has lived another reality: for years, he has lived with problems, with injuries that he has been able to overcome.
“This time, it wasn’t like that. It didn’t happen, and when he realised it was impossible, he retired. But before that, he would have wanted to continue, of course.”
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In an interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo, Toni Nadal was asked about players putting their hand to their ear to ask for applause from the crowd — something both Djokovic and Alcaraz do.
“I don’t like it at all,” he asserted. “When Federer made a great point, he would raise his thumb, stretching out his arm and lowering his head. He never looked at the audience.
“Rafael made the gesture of passion, of strength. Personally, I don’t like demonstrations of the kind you mention, but they have become fashionable and many people do them.
“If Rafael had done it when he was with me, I would have said to him: ‘Oh, gosh! Try not to do it!’
“There are players whose sporting merits go beyond their specific sport, like Djokovic. But there are others whose way of winning goes beyond sport.
“That’s what happens with Federer and Rafael, because life is not just about winning but how you win. Both have earned a higher level of respect.”
The renowned coach added: “There have always been people who did strange things on the court. All their lives.
“Nowadays, there is a tendency to show their emotions and that only themselves are important.
“Before, holding back, being discreet, restrained, worked. Now we live in a world where we have to do whatever we want. The main thing is to have a good time and this often leads to a lack of self-control.”
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