French Open 2022 — Rafael Nadal has ‘zero drawback’ with taking part in Felix Auger-Aliassime — who’s coached by his Uncle Toni

For Rafael Nadal, household is all the pieces.

So when Nadal faces Felix Auger-Aliassime within the fourth spherical at Roland Garros on Sunday, he will not fear if his uncle, Toni Nadal, is sitting within the stands in his new position as Auger-Aliassime’s coach.

“I already talked with Toni after my match,” Nadal stated Friday, having beaten Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. “For me it is quite simple. He is my uncle. I do not assume he’ll be capable to need me to lose, surely, however he is knowledgeable and he is with one other participant.”

That is the primary time Nadal has confronted Auger-Aliassime since his uncle started teaching the native of Canada.

“I do not know what is going on to occur, if he’ll keep within the field or not, however I do not care. I’ve zero drawback with that. So it isn’t a narrative in any respect for me.

“I do know what the sentiments [are] that we’ve between one another. I do know he needs one of the best for me. Now he is serving to one other participant. However actually, for me, it is zero drawback, and I do know he needs one of the best for me.”

Toni Nadal has been instrumental in his nephew’s profession, alongside him for 14 of his file Grand Slam titles, together with 9 of his 13 French Open crowns. In 2016, Toni stepped away from the tour to work as the principle coach on the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca. He was changed by Carlos Moya, the previous world No 1, who stays his coach.

Nadal stated his uncle didn’t have to ask him whether or not he ought to coach Auger-Aliassime and that no matter occurs on Sunday, nothing will change between them.

“For me, I am unable to thank sufficient all of the issues that he did for me throughout so a few years,” he stated. “I haven’t got any drawback with any place that he is making. I need one of the best for him, and he needs one of the best for me.

“We’re household greater than the rest. Not solely household; we’re a household that we keep collectively on a regular basis. We’re in the identical village. We spend time within the academy collectively. We lived unimaginable feelings collectively.

“He isn’t solely an uncle. He is greater than that.”