Toni Nadal has asserted that the mindset he instilled in Rafael Nadal is why his nephew is “so mentally strong” and is the reason he was able to beat “perfect” Roger Federer.
The esteemed coach argued that the large teams many players have today can be a hindrance as “there’s too much information” and feels mental health coaches are problematic for young stars.
The Spaniard coached his nephew Rafael Nadal from his childhood until 2017, helping him win 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. He has been working with world No 17 Felix Auger-Aliassime since 2021.
Nadal shared an iconic rivalry with Federer, winning 24 of the pair’s 40 matches and holding a significant 10-4 advantage in Grand Slams, as well as a 14-10 edge in finals.
Speaking in an interview with the Majorca Bulletin, Toni Nadal questioned the approach taken by many current players and suggested the simpler formula he used with his great nephew was more effective.
“Today, there’s too much information, it’s confusing, and it’s all about positive criticism. That does not always work: on the contrary, it leads to greater frustration for players when they lose,” claimed the Mallorcan.
“It’s a case of dusting yourself down and training more, working harder, constantly improving your game and moving on to the next tournament.
“That’s what I always instilled in Rafa and that’s why he’s so mentally strong. There will be very few players ever as good as Federer, for example – he played the perfect game. But Rafa beat him.
“The teams behind the players have become so large, so many stats, analysis, nutritionists and mental health coaches. And it is the latter (mental health coaches) that I believe are the cause for so many young players getting frustrated and being unable to handle defeat and the pressure.
“Rafa never had a mental health coach, never mind a nutritionist. I’m not his mother, I don’t know what he ate or eats or how much he weighs. It used to be just Rafa and I.
“Some days I would play him with used old balls, take him to poor quality courts to train and forget to take water so he could be mentally strong and get used to accepting defeat and making mistakes. And I used to tell him when he was making mistakes.”
Former world No 1 Nadal has not competed since suffering a hip injury in his second round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in January.
The 37-year-old underwent surgery on the issue in June, having initially expected to be out for only six to eight weeks. The Mallorcan was forced to postpone his proposed comeback during the clay-court season.
