Toni Nadal slammed for controversial Roger Federer comments
Rafael Nadal’s uncle has hit Roger Federer with a major truth bomb that hasn’t gone down well with the Swiss legend’s fans.
Federer extended his all-time men’s record to 20 slam victories by winning the Australian Open in January but suffered some unexpected losses during the rest of the season, finishing it ranked third.
And according to Toni Nadal, Federer won’t win another slam.
Nadal, the long-time former coach of his nephew Rafael, believes the physical demands of best-of-five-set test are likely to put the majors out of reach for 37-year-old Federer.
Writing in his column in El Pais, Nadal said: “What can we expect from 2019? I find it hard to see Federer lifting another grand slam cup.
“Obviously, I do not say it for his game, although I do say it for the toughness of the five-set tournaments. I have to confess that I said that on other occasions and the Swiss, repeatedly, surprised me.”
Fans of Federer and Nadal have a notorious rivalry even fiercer than that of the players.
And as you can imagine, Toni’s comments haven’t exactly been warming received by fans of Federer.
Toni Nadal going after Federer, must be a day that ends in 'y'.
— Shego (@LadyBellatrix) November 21, 2018
Lol. We have been listening ro these craps for 6 years now, since 2012 Wimbledon.
— Gaurav Pandey (@GauravPandey71) November 21, 2018
@RafaelNadal #toninadal see hatred and jealous here , not in good sport !
— manish (@mtahilia) November 21, 2018
Bite your tongue!
— Mim Volmar (@Mimvol) November 21, 2018
They said that for what, 3 or 4 years and then he won 3 more?
— Doug Collins (@dc_loves_tennis) November 21, 2018
They said that before & look what happened.
— Lisa Gill (@gill_lmgill2) November 21, 2018
They said that 3 years ago too!
— Bart Kosen (@bart_kosen) November 21, 2018
Toni best worry about Raffa first……
— Mark de Wet (@dewetmi) November 21, 2018
I remember this topic three grand slams ago. So no, I don’t agree.
— Andy Streit (@streit1971) November 21, 2018
Toni changes his tune on Zverev
Alexander Zverev’s ATP Finals title last weekend, with the young German defeating Federer and Novak Djokovic back to back, provided a tantalising glimpse of what might be to come next season.
The long-awaited major breakthrough for the next generation appears at last to be around the corner, and Nadal admits he has been made to reconsider his opinion on the matter.
He said: “For some time I had my doubts about whether the youngsters would be able to overcome the game of Federer on grass, the one of Djokovic on fast courts and the one of Rafael on clay.
“And I had the impression that the change would be caused rather by the decline of some than by the attack of others. The final in London has made me think about it.
“For now, for the coming year, I trust in the full physical recovery of Rafael, I feel new episodes of his rivalry with Djokovic and, in general, a more open panorama with the definitive incorporation of the new generation.”
with AAP