Key Takeaways
- Toni Nadal expressed his dislike for players making excuses about equipment, recalling a past US Open with Rafael Nadal.
- Despite progressing through several rounds, Rafael Nadal repeatedly complained during practice that he could not generate topspin with the tournament balls.
- Weary of the complaints, Toni Nadal bluntly told his nephew to lose and head back to Mallorca if he was unhappy, which Rafael Nadal eventually did.
A zero-tolerance approach to tournament excuses
Toni Nadal has voiced his frustration with professional players who complain about tennis balls, recounting a past US Open campaign alongside his nephew, Rafael Nadal, to illustrate his no-nonsense coaching philosophy.
During that particular trip to Flushing Meadows, the Spanish champion struggled considerably to generate his trademark topspin during practice sessions. Rafael Nadal repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the feel and responsiveness of the equipment, yet his uncle had little patience for the ongoing grievances.
How blunt advice resolved practice frustrations
Despite the persistent complaints on the practice court, the Spanish star managed to advance through his initial rounds. However, with the grievance remaining a daily topic, his longtime mentor decided to deliver a sharp reality check.
Addressing the habit of seeking explanations outside one’s own game, Toni Nadal explained that “I really don’t like excuses.” Tired of hearing the same issue brought up each afternoon, he gave his nephew straightforward counsel, suggesting that if he could not adapt, he should simply exit the draw.
As the veteran coach humorously recalled, his nephew ultimately followed that blunt recommendation, bowed out of the tournament, and returned home to Mallorca.
Toni Nadal says he doesn’t like when players complain about the balls. "A few years ago, we were at the US Open with Rafa, and that year he wasn’t getting any spin off the balls. We were playing, and it was a disaster. Every day, when we went out to practise, he’d say, ‘These balls don’t suit me. I can’t get any spin on them.’ The next day, it was the same thing all over again. I really don’t like excuses. He won his first match, his second, his third… but I eventually got tired of hearing it, so I told him, ‘Listen, what you need to do is lose, and then, when you get back to Mallorca, the balls will give you all the spin you want.’ He took my advice and lost".
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) October 14, 2026
