ATP: Toni Nadal believes in Dominic Thiem’s French Open victory

In an exclusive tennisnet interview at the Mallorca Open, Toni Nadal talks about Dominic Thiem’s future title chances at the French Open, gives his Wimbledon forecast for Angelique Kerber – and reveals where he was when Rafael Nadal celebrated his eleventh Roland Garros victory just two weeks ago at a party in Paris.

By Ulrike Weinrich from Santa Ponsa/Majorca

Toni Nadal is confined these days. Everybody wants Uncle Toni. No wonder, the 57-year-old is the tournament director at the 3rd Mallorca Open, a WTA grass court tournament in Santa Ponsa endowed with 250,000 euros. Nevertheless, he took a lot of time for us on the terrace of the complex on the former Country Club in the southwest of the sunny island.

tennisnet: “How did you celebrate the historic eleventh French Open victory of your nephew Rafael just two weeks ago in Paris?

Toni Nadal: “Not really, I didn’t drink anything. After the final I immediately got on the plane and flew back to Mallorca. “There was a party in Paris, but I wasn’t there.”

tennisnet: “The final victory against Dominic Thiem was quite clear. The Austrian is already traded on sand as crown prince of’Rafa’. Is that what you think?”

Toni Nadal: “Dominic has great potential. Of course, he still needs to improve a lot. And it’s always good if there are still things you can do better. But I think he has the best chance of winning the French Open. Whether next year or later, we’ll see. But I believe it will happen at some point in the future. Besides, Dominic is a great and very nice boy.”

tennisnet: “Angelique Kerber failed in her opening match against Alison Riske (USA) in Mallorca. What do you think Angie can tear in Wimbledon…?

Toni Nadal: “I think she can win Wimbledon. Angie is one of the top favourites for the title, I am firmly convinced of that. I saw her last year’s round of 16 against Garbine Muguruza there. Angelique had so many ways to win this duel back then. Muguruza was no better, but a few days later she won the tournament. And I think Angie will play better this time than 2017.”

tennisnet: “Why does the grass match Kerbers game so well?”

Toni Nadal: “She moves very well – and she beats from low positions. There she has a great control and balance. This is extremely important and effective for playing on grass. Grass and Angie that fits.”

tennisnet: “Kerber has achieved the’turnaround’ after their rather disappointing last season. Did she surprise her low in 2017?”

Toni Nadal: “After such a great year as Angie had in 2016, this is not unusual. She won two Grand Slam titles two years ago, reached the finals in Wimbledon and at the Olympic Games and became the world’s number one. If you’ve won so much and experienced such great moments, a quarter-final exit is suddenly a disaster. For you and the people. But Angie made it back from the bottom. She’s back.”

tennisnet: “How do you see your nephew Rafa Nadal’s chances in Wimbledon?”

Toni Nadal: “He is one of the top favourites because he is fit. If he has problems with his knees, it is impossible for him to play well on grass. I had a good feeling last year, too. Rafael was in a good mood, but then Gilles Muller, with a strong serve, came in the round of 16 – and Rafa lost.”

tennisnet: “Is the pressure on Rafa at Wimbledon now less because he won his tournament, the French Open?”

Toni Nadal: “No, no, the pressure is always the same. Rafael also wants to win Wimbledon – and he’ll do anything for it.”

tennisnet: “Is Wimbledon – with all its tradition – something extraordinary for you personally?”

Toni Nadal: “Of course, there is a very special atmosphere there. But of course Roland Garros is very special for us. “There you must play with more tactics if you want to win what I personally like more.”

tennisnet: “Does that mean you don’t like grass court tennis?”

Toni Nadal: “Yes, but the impact on grass is too important. It’s all happening too fast. Sometimes you don’t have a chance. Against Muller, for example, it was impossible for Rafael to return his opponent’s service in Wimbeldon in 2017. You just couldn’t do anything.”

tennisnet: “Do you find it unfair that of the four Grand Slam tournaments only one takes place on sand – two on hard court?”

Toni Nadal: “No, that’s not a problem – it is what it is. But it’s not fair that the ATP final will never be played on sand at the end of the season. “That the pavement will never be changed there.”

tennisnet: “How satisfied are you with the 3rd Mallorca Open so far?”

Toni Nadal: “We had a very good field of female starters with Caroline Garcia, sixth in the world rankings, and an Angie Kerber, who finished fifth in the’Race’ of the year. Of course, no results can be predicted in sport. But we offer the players top conditions, because we have the same greenkeeper as the tournament in Wimbledon. The nice weather here, you can always play and train. We have improved the tournament year after year. And we want to continue to do so in the future. “We’re very happy, but we can do things better.”

tennisnet: “It was also negotiated with Serena Williams because of a possible start on Mallorca…”

Toni Nadal: “Yes, she was talked to. But it’s not that easy to get them. Serena’s had a long recess. She didn’t get to play much because she was pregnant. When you return, you have to plan carefully and see that you’re not playing too much.”

tennisnet: “Which players attract the spectators?”

Toni Nadal: “FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United are the magnets in football. When you talk about basketball, LeBron James and Stephen Curry come to mind. Until recently it was Usain Bolt in athletics. There aren’t that many seats for superstars. In women’s tennis, it’s still Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Only after that come players like Caroline Wozniacki or Garbine Muguruza.”