Toni Nadal: “On-Court Coaching is a Good Thing”

Rafael Nadal‘s former coach and uncle, Toni Nadal reveal in an interview that he supports the idea of on-court coaching as he suggested that on-court coaching will help the players in the key moments of the match.

In an interview with Tennis Magazine, Toni Nadal talked about on-court coaching and said, “For me, on-court coaching is a good thing.”

Toni Nadal also feels that if fans are allowed to say anything in between the points then the coaches should also be allowed to speak. He said, “Players pay for their flights, hotels, and food. That’s very costly. And coaches cannot even speak with their players in the key moments of the match. Fans can say anything, the coach can’t. That’s not right.” 

Since 2008, the WTA tour allows players to call their coaches on the court, a limited number of times at non-Grand Slam events. Toni Nadal also gave his thoughts about coaches going on court to instruct their players. The 58-year-old was asked whether he would prefer to go on the court or just signal from the box?

He replied, “Directly going to the court, that’s not what I do. It’s easier to say or shows something from my place. Every time I was with Rafa, I told him to be more careful, move legs or play with more topspin.” 

Earlier, Toni Nadal violated the on-court coaching rules during the 2019 Wimbledon Championships semifinals between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The Spaniard coach admitted in an interview that he was trying to coach Nadal during the match.

He said in an interview, I asked him (Nadal) why he did not change his return position as both Francis Roig and I were telling him that during the match.”

Toni further added, “He (Nadal) told me he had not seen it. He did not understand us and if he did he would have definitely done it,”