Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Saturday, 31 January 2026, 20:07 / Updated on Saturday, 31 January 2026 20:07
Toni Nadal (64), coach of his nephew Rafael until 2017, commented on the current state of the men's circuit, claiming that in addition to extraordinary qualities, Carlos Alcaraz is lucky to have low-level opponents.
Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach from childhood until early 2017, Tony Nadalwas challenged to dissect current topics in men's tennis today. As usual, the veteran technician, who is currently the coordinator of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor, offered sharp and original answers.
One of the first questions in the talk on the radio station Onda Cero it was linked to Carlos Alcaraz and his player traits. “He has some special physical data, excellent technical quality and, on top of that, he has luck: inferior rivals“, said uncle Toni.
He then explained: “Before, you would go on the court and meet Del Potro, Murray or Wawrinka and you knew you were going to suffer and that the match was going to be complicated. If they had a good day, they could beat you“.
On the eternal debate of the best player in history, he elaborated as follows: “The one who played the best is Federer, the best in terms of titles is Djokovic, but I think if Rafa had not had so many injuries, he would now be the best of all time.” An analysis that glorifies the Big 3 generation, the one that precedes the current era, of Alcaraz and Sinner.
Toni Nadal: “I like Alcaraz better, but Sinner…”
He did not leave them unheeded either, as rivals. “I personally like Alcaraz a lot more. When they face each other, the game depends a lot on what the Murcian does,” said Toni Nadal, immediately qualifying: “However, with the numbers in front, I think Sinner is more reliable, he is more solid.”
Although the semifinals ended in epic fashion, by the way, and Carlos defeated the Alexander Zverev after 5 hours and 27 minutes, Uncle Toni had some words of encouragement for the German. “He is the only one who could face Alcaraz and Sinner, provided he changes certain habits in his game, but also in his character“.
Summary of semi-final Carlos Alcaraz – Alexander Zverev
Ahead of the final on Sunday 1 February (10:30 a.m., live on Eurosport and HBO Max), formulated his prognosis, designating the Iberian as “the big favorite to win the title at the Australian Open“.
In closing the discussion, he reminded that “the player is the boss, he is the one who pays and the rest must comply”. A situation in which he was not, however, in the many years in which he trained his grandson. “I did not receive a salary from Rafa, therefore I had the freedom to be demanding with him and train a very educated boy“, concluded Toni Nadal.
In doing so, he was the most successful coach in terms of his athlete's major titles, 16, until he was surpassed in 2020 by the Slovak Marian Vajdawho reached 17 alongside Novak Djokovic.
