Felix Auger-Aliassime confirmed whether he is still working with Toni Nadal or not.
The Canadian began working with one of tennis’ greatest coaches in 2021, which has been his most successful season so far.
This was the 63-year-old’s first coaching assignment after his long and successful partnership with his nephew Rafael Nadal, who won 22 Grand Slams titles in his illustrious career.
But Toni Nadal’s relationship with Felix Auger-Aliassime now appears to be over after following a recent interview by the World number 29.
One of the biggest talking points in 2021 surrounded Auger-Aliassime being coached by Nadal.
His game certainly improved under the Spaniard’s guidance, but the 24-year-old struggled since, having won just one title since 2022 and fell outside of the top 20.
There was no official announcement to determine whether the pair was still working together throughout the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, but Auger-Alliasime has now confirmed Nadal is no longer his coach.
“No. It was done organically. I’m not huge on announcing ‘I work for this person’ or ‘I’m done’ because you just don’t know in life,” he told The Slice Tennis podcast.
“We had a great relationship and I felt like at some point in the year we talked and I felt like okay for these next tournaments and until further notice, I am going to stay with my coach Fred and my Dad is going to join us. I felt like that was what I wanted to do.
“I haven’t looked back since but we were in touch throughout the season at times. I have a huge amount of respect for him. He helped me with a few things and I had a great year in 2022 when he was part of it.”
Nadal guided Auger-Alliasime to his most successful season during which he claimed four titles.
He became the champion in Rotterdam, Florence, Antwerp and Basel and went on a 16-match win streak towards the end of the season.
These results enabled Auger-Aliassime to qualify for the ATP Finals for the first time, where he defeated Nadal in the round robin stage.
Speaking of his former coach’s nephew, Auger-Alliasime became just the third player to take the former World number one to five sets at the French Open.
He took Nadal to the brink in their 2022 fourth found encounter, before the Spaniard prevailed 3-6 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3.
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