Rafael Nadal's uncle stokes fires between star and Novak Djokovic with latest comment

Toni Nadal has deed retired astatine Novak Djokovic yet again, claiming the Serbian has not earned the aforesaid level of respect successful tennis arsenic his nephew Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Toni Nadal stoked the occurrence betwixt Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic by saying his nephew has earned "superior respect" than the Serbian tennis legend.

Nadal volition accidental farewell to tennis this week erstwhile helium plays successful his past ever tourney astatine the Davis Cup, wherever helium is aiming to clinch a 5th triumph for Spain. The 38-year-old announced his status from nonrecreational tennis in an affectional connection back successful October, but not earlier aiming to extremity connected a precocious enactment astatine the yearly lawsuit successful Malaga.

Throughout his unthinkable career, the Majorcan has secured a hugely awesome 22 Grand Slam titles, lone surpassed successful the men's crippled by Djokovic (24 Slams). Yet Nadal’s uncle believes the Spaniard has earned much respect than Djokovic owed to his conduct, some during matches and successful victory.

Toni, who coached Nadal from 1990 to 2017 and helped him triumph 16 of his Grand Slams, was asked astir the increasing inclination of tennis stars cupping their ears to either provoke oregon summation applause from fans aft winning points. The 63-year-old expressed his dislike for the gesture, which Djokovic has performed successful the past, earlier being questioned by Majorcan outlet El Mundo about wherefore Nadal and Federer look to beryllium much universally admired.

He explained: “When Federer made a large point, helium raised his thumb upwards stretching his limb and lowered his head. He ne'er looked astatine the audience. Rafael would marque the motion of passion, of strength. I don't peculiarly similar demonstrations of the benignant you are talking about, but they person go fashionable and a batch of radical bash it. If Rafael had done it erstwhile helium was with me, I would person said to him: ‘Don't bash it!’.

“There are players whose sporting merits spell beyond their circumstantial sport, similar Djokovic. But determination are others whose winning ways spell beyond sports. That is what happens with Federer and Rafael, due to the fact that beingness is not lone astir winning but besides astir however you win. Both person earned superior respect.”

Nadal's uncle has been vocal successful the past astir Djokovic too, regularly lauding the Serbian arsenic the top tennis subordinate ever. That came with the caveat, however, that Nadal could person surpassed him if injuries hadn't plagued his career.

Reflecting connected Nadal's status announcement, Toni said: "I deliberation my nephew would beryllium the champion successful past if helium didn't person truthful galore injuries. When radical inquire maine who is the champion successful history, I say, 'The champion successful past is Djokovic due to the fact that of everything helium accomplished, and the 1 who played the champion tennis is Federer. But I deliberation my nephew would beryllium the champion successful past if helium didn't person truthful galore injuries."

The manager adjacent confessed successful his El Pais file that watching Djokovic triumph implicit Nadal's Olympic doubles partner, Carlos Alcaraz, successful the Paris Olympics singles final, was a "bitter" experience. He wrote: "The images of Carlos crying connected the way with wide signs of grief and vexation person near america with a bitter feeling, but they should not astatine each pb america to deliberation that it was a defeat."

Toni's comments volition bash small to easiness the legends' rivalry, with Djokovic himself antecedently admitting helium could ne'er beryllium bully friends with Nadal due to the fact that of their galore battles implicit the years. He told Italian work Corriere Della Sera: "Nadal and I are some Geminis, astatine archetypal we adjacent went to meal together, twice. But adjacent with him, relationship is impossible.

“I person ever respected and greatly admired him. Thanks to him and Federer, I grew up and became who I am. This volition unite america forever; truthful I consciousness gratitude towards them. Nadal is simply a portion of my life, successful the past 15 years I've seen much of him than my mum! We person ne'er been friends. Between rivals, it is not possible, but we person ne'er been enemies.”

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