Toni Nadal Worried: ´Winning the French Open Becomes Harder for Rafael Nadal´
Tennis - Toni Nadal is worried for his nephew and protege Rafael Nadal. The 9th time French Open champion could have a hard time keeping his crown this year according to Toni
Rafael Nadal 10 Mar 2015 - 00:26 / by Ivan Pasquariello
http://www.tennisworldusa.org/Toni-Nadal-Worried-Winning-the-French-Open-Becomes-Harder-for-Rafael-Nadal-articolo22856.htmlToni Nadal is worried. The start of the clay season for Rafael Nadal and his entourage allegedly should open the doors to the best part of the year for the Spaniard. Title after title coming in with the declared goal of going double digits at the French Open, reaching a historic 10th title. But Toni is worried, he stays worried even now, that Rafa should be ready to collect his glory in slides and brick, in front of the world, a champion again.
According to Toni, Rafael is not the same as he used to be before:
"I believe it is a mental issue. When someone isn't feeling at his best mentally, that affects all other aspects, including the physic and the movements. What is the cause for this mental problem? Rafa is missing consistency. He has based all his career on constancy and consistency, and now he is missing it. To get back to competition had a price to it, and now we are paying for it" revealed Toni to the Spanish press, on online platform El Confidential.
"The win in Buenos Aires sure worked as a positive motivational boost, but that won't be enough to play at the best in Indian Wells and Miami. We lacked in consistency, and now we are finding it back".
Toni is worried for the disconnections he has seen in his nephew over the past weeks, possibly sings of an initial down curve in form.
"It happened to him in Doha, where he played very well in the first set and then he left the match. In Australia he faced the same issue. He played good matches and then against Berdych he has been a disaster in the first two sets. In Rio the same thing, he stopped playing after the first set. These things started happening frequently most recently and that causes doubts and fears" revealed Toni.
Asked if Rafa is going to go back to be his best version ever, Toni replied:
"The sport isn't stable. Messi isn't the best anymore? He stopped being it, but then he recovered and now he is back in full form and he is the same as always. Now it is Cristiano Ronaldo who is not playing too well. See? Things continuously change and evolve" explained Rafa's uncle and coach.
Will Rafael Nadal win his 10th title at the French Open this year?
"As every year goes by, it is always harder for Rafael to confirm himself at the French Open. Before there were two or three dangerous opponents, now there are at least ten players who could beat him. Last year was even more under threat. We were coming to the tournament after facing some tough losses on the European red clay. Then Rafael came to Paris and played a great tournament" admitted Toni to conclude the interview.