Felix Auger-Aliassimes coach Frederic Fontang explains Toni Nadals role in training the youngs

Publish date: 2024-08-04

Felix Auger-Aliassime became the first player to bring on Toni Nadal upon his split with Rafael Nadal. Toni was the first to spot the talent of his nephew Rafa and helped him to become an all-time great. A childhood coach for Rafa, the uncle-nephew parted ways in 2017 after 27 years of training together.

Toni did not join any other player as he took on his role at the Rafa Nadal Academy. As the head, he was focused on developing a new generation of talent. He did however make a return to coaching in 2021 when Aliassime brought him. However, Toni has not been a regular with the Canadian youngster and is rarely seen at matches with him.

With much confusion on the exact role of Toni in Aliassime’s camp, full-time coach Frederic Fontang cleared everything up.

“Felix wanted to only have one full-time coach, to have someone who does the everyday work. So I took that role…but we wanted to add one more person, a former player, or a coach who had already won one or more Grand Slam tournaments. So he became a consultant both for Felix as a player, but also for me as a coach. That was the two main goals.

“I’ve always thought it was important to have an outside eye because even as a coach you have to keep improving. Having an outside eye like Toni Nadal who has experience with Grand Slams with his nephew, it helps,” said Fontang speaking with Tennis Majors.

Frederic Fontang reveals what big change Toni Nadal brought in Felix Auger-Aliassime

With Toni Nadal not touring together with Felix Auger-Aliassime, his contribution isn’t seen clearly. Frederic Fontang however touched upon that topic as well discussing the impact of the Spanish coach.

“Natural charisma. He brought that confidence to Felix, the confidence to feel legitimate. He’s doing the French Open and the US Open and then he does Monte Carlo and Madrid. A lot of clay. But I’m in contact with him regularly,” added Fontang further.

With Rafa winning 14 French Open titles and being called the ‘King of Clay’, it makes quite a lot of sense for Aliassime’s hiring. With Toni having the experience of churning out results on the surface, it won’t be a shocker if the youngster starts giving big performances on clay.

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Felix Auger-Aliassimes coach Frederic Fontang explains Toni Nadals role in training the youngs

Frederic Fontang reveals what big change Toni Nadal brought in Felix Auger-Aliassime