Tennis icon Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, is advocating for significant changes to reduce the intensity in the sport and make it “less aggressive.” Toni, 64, suggests that using smaller rackets could decrease the risk of injuries caused by the demanding tournament schedules. However, implementing this change could disrupt the current rankings as players would need to adjust their playing techniques.
Toni believes that tennis has shifted towards emphasizing sheer power, a trend he criticizes as one of the sport’s most vocal opponents. He expressed concerns about the escalating speed of the ball, attributing injuries to the forceful and rapid movements players make during matches. He highlighted the decline of tactical players like Federico Coria and Gaston Gaudio in today’s game.
Proposing a solution, Toni advocates for downsizing racket sizes, a viewpoint supported by Rafael Nadal for several years. Rafael argues that using smaller rackets would benefit amateur players while challenging professionals to adapt, ultimately resulting in a less aggressive game.
Toni emphasized the importance of preserving the graceful movements in tennis, comparing past players like John McEnroe and Ilie Nastase who showcased intricate tactics and finesse. He lamented the current trend of excessive power-hitting competitions and suggested slowing down the pace of the game.
Despite their recommendations, Toni doubts that tennis authorities will heed their concerns, criticizing the status quo as catering primarily to the elite players. Drawing parallels to football’s evolution, Toni suggested that tennis could learn from the adaptation of rules in football after the 1990 World Cup to enhance the sport’s dynamics.
During their successful partnership until 2017, Toni Nadal guided Rafael Nadal to 14 Grand Slam victories but expressed frustration over the unattained ATP Finals title. He believes that the sport’s resistance to change, such as not hosting the Finals on clay courts, has hindered Rafael’s success in that particular tournament.
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