Toni Nadal: “My nephew thinks he still has some good times to experience”

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Santa Ponsa Tournament Director the presence of highly rated players is noticeable and is not shy to say it Tennis will become less interesting for him when his nephew decides to retire. “I’ll watch less tennis,” he says.

Are you happy with the list? Which tennis player would you highlight?

Yes, sure. The list is growing, and a number of interesting participants are appearing on it.Monfils is always a very attractive player. Tim, although not highly ranked for various reasons, is the US Open champion. Fognini is a great player, just like Shelton or Eubanks. The list is growing and I’m still waiting for new additions.

Is having the best players also a matter of money?

Obviously, getting into the top 10 is a matter of money. But it’s not only that. Players heading into a Grand Slam are not motivated by money.

What is your goal for the tournament?

This is rather a task of promotion, communication with sponsors and authorities. There’s the CEO, and then there’s Edwin (Weindorfer), who determines how much money can be spent. Tennis is an expensive sport and you need to see how far you can go without losing too much money.

At some point you will be asked to convince the player. What arguments are you using?

That they will have courts in very good condition and a climate that will allow them to train on grass every day. When you go to play in a tournament in England, for example, you know that it will rain for two or three days, and it is difficult. This means that on these days you cannot exercise, and on other days you will have to limit your exercise. Here you know that the conditions will allow you to prepare well. And you’re in a very good place and at a tournament that takes good care of you, which is important for the players too.

Thiem and Fognini will join the list of 64 tennis players who will take part in the Mallorcan Championships.

His wish is granted; he can bring any tennis player. To whom?

Carlos Alcaraz. Rafael, of course, too. This would be ideal, because he is retired and close… But I already expect that he will not play here.

Nadal has always said that he doesn’t play in the week before a Grand Slam. He won’t go to Wimbledon, I don’t know if he can do them a favor…

Well, I don’t know because I haven’t talked to him about it.

They made a big bet on the American market.

I think it’s good for institutions that we have American players because tourism is becoming important. This market could benefit the Balearic Islands. Obviously we will have to start limiting tourism, but I think events that have the Mallorcan name on them are a good thing.

This is a big question because there was a big demonstration on Saturday. The island is full.

I’ve been a Mallorcan all my life, my family has been here for 500, 600 or 700 years. On the one hand, I understand that we live off tourism, because this is the main source of income for the whole world, but on the other hand, I understand that tourism must be fully organized. Efforts must be made to de-seasonalize and, above all, to reduce vacancies.

More quality, less quantity?

It’s clear to me that this is something to try. I bought a hotel that had 68 beds and I converted them to 54.

And is it profitable?

I don’t know, but I hope that by leveling up I won’t lose money. We all know that there is a type of tourism that generates profit, and that there is a type of drinking, alcohol tourism that not only gives us a bad image, but also creates for us the only thing that makes us spend too much.

Weindorfer, Nadal and Murray at the presentation of the Mallorca Championship

Is this tournament also interesting for Mallorcan residents, or just for tourists?

I think the tournament is interesting for the people of Mallorca and interesting for all tennis fans. After all, what do you like in life? Well, Mallorca is in the First Division because it allows me to see the best players in the world, the best teams like Barça and Madrid. It’s the same in theater or music: let the best come.

This year they will have to compete with the Eurocup.

Let’s wait, although I think so. But not everyone who likes tennis likes football. We will force ourselves and be on the alert so that the game in Spain and the games here do not coincide in time.

He was in Paris meeting his nephew Rafa Nadal. Your opinion?

A little more filming was required. My nephew had a number of problems and after not playing for almost a year he needed to play games. It didn’t go very well. If this match he played the other day in Paris had been the same match in Monte Carlo, my nephew would probably now be in a position to fight for victory in Paris. He needed competition, but he didn’t have the chance. And it affected him.

Can he become competitive again?

I think so, because he was not far from Zverev. He had a chance to win the second set. He went 5-4, and in tiebreaker He also had certain capabilities. When he lost the second set, the mountain was too big because that would have meant playing for five hours at maximum intensity, and I don’t know if I would have been ready. I haven’t seen Raphael being very far from one of the best in the world.

“I was sad when Nastase or Federer stopped playing. But in this case everything is completely different, because this is a family. This is worse”

Talk to him? Are you asking him for advice?

No, he doesn’t ask me for advice. I talked to him because I had dinner with him after the game, but we didn’t talk about tennis. He has his own team, and I’m not on his team.

He hesitates to let him do it.

Saying it’s over is always difficult. Making a final decision is difficult. Let’s see… He has hopes of competing in the Olympics.

What would you recommend?

Do what you want. I’m not the one who can recommend you. I more or less know what I need to do, but I don’t know what others should do.

It looks like he missed the opportunity to say goodbye when he had the best moment.

My nephew thinks he still has good times to live. What he likes is to play tennis.

Or do you want to earn more?

No, don’t believe it. My nephew has enough money and doesn’t need to earn more. It’s a matter of you doing what you think you need to do. And what do you like to do.

Are you sad to think about the moment when you won’t play anymore?

Obviously. I was sad when Nastase or Federer stopped playing because I had a great time watching them play. But in this case everything is completely different, because this is a family. This is worse.

You will find new players to follow.

No, not anymore, because I am Raphael’s family. In football, yes, but not in tennis, because I like my nephew.

Won’t you watch as much tennis as possible?

I’ll see a lot less and I won’t have the same interest in it. I like tennis because I participate in it and because I am present at this tournament, but it is not the same as if I wanted to watch my nephew play.