French Open 2022 – Rafael Nadal has no problem playing with Felix Auger-Aliassime – coached by his uncle Tony

for Rafael NadalFamily is everything.

So when he faces Nadal Felix Auger-Aliassime In the fourth round at Roland Garros on Sunday, he will not have to worry if his uncle Toni Nadal is sitting in the stands in his new position as coach of Auger Aliassime.

“I already spoke with Tony after my match,” Nadal said on Friday after defeating Butch van de Zandschul 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. “It’s very simple for me. He’s my uncle. I don’t think he’d be able to want me to lose, without a doubt, but he’s a professional and he’s with another player.”

This is the first time Nadal has faced Auger-Aliassime since his uncle started coaching the Canadian citizen.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, if it’s going to stay in the box or not, but I don’t care. I have no problem with that. So it’s not a story at all for me.”

“I know what feelings are [are] that we have between each other. I know he wants the best for me. Now he’s helping another player. But honestly, for me, that’s zero problem, and I know he wants the best for me.”

Toni Nadal has been instrumental in his nephew’s career, alongside him in 14 of his record four Grand Slam titles, including nine of his 13 French Open titles. In 2016, Toni stepped away from the tour to work as a head coach at Rafael Nadal’s Academy in Mallorca. has been replaced by Carlos MoyaNo. 1 in the former world, who is still his coach.

Nadal said his uncle didn’t need to ask him if he should train Auger-Aliassime, and that whatever happened on Sunday, nothing would change between them.

“For me, I cannot thank enough enough for all the things he has done for me over so many years,” he said. “I have no problem with whatever position he takes. I want the best for him, and he wants the best for me.”

We are a family more than anything else. We are not just a family; we are a family that stays together all the time. We are in the same village. We spend time at the academy together. We experienced incredible feelings together.

“He’s not just an uncle. He’s more than that.”