By Richard Pagliaro
An emotional Toni Nadal was moved to tears seeing nephew Rafael Nadal win his record 13th Roland Garros title—though his opinion on the Greatest Of All Time remains unchanged.
Rafael Nadal dismissed Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the French Open final matching rival Roger Federer's men's major mark winning his 20th career Grand Slam championship.
More: Nadal Dismisses Djokovic for Record 13th RG Title
The second-seeded Spaniard raised his Roland Garros record to an astounding 100-2, including 81 victories in straight sets and a perfect 26-0 mark in French Open semifinals and finals. Nadal is the first champion—male or female—to win the same professional singles championship 13 times.
"Rafa played an extraordinary match against a great rival in a rather adverse situation," Toni Nadal told Radio Marca.
While Rafa Nadal matched Federer's all-time men's mark for most Grand Slam title, Toni Nadal says the Swiss stylist has no equal in the GOAT debate.
Uncle Toni reiterated remarks he made earlier this year: Roger Federer is GOAT.
"I say the best is Roger Federer because he has more tournament titles, more wins, more weeks of number one and everything counts," Toni Nadal said.
In an interview with Hall of Famer Mats Wilander for Eurosport last spring, Uncle Toni tabbed Federer as GOAT—and his personal favorite player to watch aside from his nephew.
“For me, he’s a wonderful player,” Toni Nadal said of Federer. “I like a lot to watch Roger Federer. [If] I was not the uncle or the coach of Rafael, I want Federer to win all the matches.
“I like how [Federer] plays because he’s very elegant, but he’s very effective, too. I know Federer is the best ever. I don’t know maybe with Rod Laver… Rafael is not too far. Federer is the best.”
Toni Nadal, who runs the Rafa Nadal Academy in his native Mallorca and plays with a one-handed backhand himself, says he has a simple tennis dream: that young players try to emulate Federer and Nadal—not necessarily because of their styles of play but because of the passion they both bring to the game.
“I hope in the next generation can be a player like Roger, similar to Roger, or similar to Rafael," Toni Nadal said. "Because when they put this passion, it’s good for the ATP Tour.”
Photo credit: Roland Garros Facebook