Toni Nadal: ‘Feliciano Lopez Is The Clearest Exponent Of Grass Tennis’ | ATP Tour | Tennis

Editor’s notice: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es.

The Mallorca Championships is likely one of the eight tournaments on the calendar that make up the grass swing. Its director, Toni Nadalspoke to ATPTour.com in regards to the peculiarities of the floor on which this ATP 250 event is performed.

What do you want to play nicely on grass?
On grass the idea of tennis adjustments fully. Whereas on clay it’s important to be a strong participant with highly effective and constant pictures from the baseline, right here the courtroom helps you when you may have serve. While you hit the ball you don’t want a lot energy, however it’s important to hit it a bit decrease to make it exhausting for the opponent to return and that’s one thing that’s sort of forgotten in Spanish tennis, enjoying on grass.

Which gamers embody that fashion of tennis?
Roger Federer. Additionally, Pete Sampras. And for the Spaniards, Feliciano Lopezthough Rafael [Nadal] has clearly had higher outcomes. I believe Feli’s sport was extra suited to it within the strict sense of the grass sport.

Talking of Feliciano Lopezhe is likely one of the sights on the Mallorca Championshipsthe place he’s ending his profession…
We’re fortunate to have virtually the most important specialist right here. It’s true that Rafael was too, however Feliciano Lopez I believe is the clearest exponent of grass tennis, with a strong serve, with loads of spin. He has some flat slice pictures, that are very tough for the opponent to return and he’s additionally volleyer. That is what you want to play right here.

You’ve talked about your nephew twice. Are you able to describe the method of creating him into an awesome grass-court participant?

Rafael is a participant that tailored nicely to the grass courtroom, and till he had knee issues, I believe he was an awesome grass-court participant. He performed within the Wimbledon last in 2006 and 2007. He received in 2008. In 2009 he didn’t play, in 2010 he received a second title and in 2011 he was within the last once more. That’s, he performed 5 consecutive finals at Wimbledonwhich demonstrates his degree.

Why did he adapt so nicely, although it’s not his favorite floor?
Rafael tailored nicely as a result of, regardless of not having a giant serve, he had superb motion across the courtroom, good mobility, his volley was ok and his pace allowed him to play very nicely at Wimbledon. I believe if he hadn’t had the knee harm that made it tough to play on that floor, he would have received there extra instances.

You weren’t fortunate sufficient to have a event at house just like the Mallorca Championships you now direct.

No, sadly for us, the grass courtroom was uncommon. It was uncommon to play there. If we’d had this event at the moment, we might have allowed ourselves to organize right here a sure time prematurely, however that’s what there was at the moment.That’s why, once I converse to those who run Spanish tennis, I say to them: “You don’t understand how fortunate you might be to have a event of those traits right here, a top quality occasion, on a floor that’s fairly uncommon for us.” [Manuel] Santana, to organize for the Wimbledon he received, needed to go to Australia. These days you possibly can come right here and put together and play with high quality gamers right here in Mallorca.

How vital are the Mallorca Championships for the island?
It’s massively vital. Having been capable of get all of the individuals collectively who’ve come to play this event within the final three years is tough to do. The Mallorca Championships has performed that. We’ve had the chance to see [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, [Novak] Djokovic, [Daniil] Medvedev and [Dominic] Thiem.

The chance the island has needed to welcome these gamers is vital for tennis lovers, however it’s additionally good when it comes to communication to have an occasion of this class, which boosts our island as a sporting vacation spot. I believe it’s important for the island.

What are your views on the 2023 version?
The event is rising yearly. I believe that each the occasion and the infrastructure typically is rising, and folks discover that. This event, though it’s new, after simply three years on the Tour — and we all know how tough it’s at first to place occasions of this class on and for them to work instantly — is establishing itself additional.

I imagine the gamers are joyful to play right here and though this yr we’ve had issues with accidents to a number of world gamers, the lineup remains to be superb. I do know, as a result of I spoke to the gamers, they’re very joyful, each with their remedy and all the things that comes with enjoying right here.

Lastly, are there any lively gamers which have caught your eye on this floor?
These days, tennis may be very degree, it has change into a scientific sport — like nearly all of the others — through which you understand what it’s important to do always, what you want to do to interrupt down your opponent’s sport. Evidently, essentially the most particular participant right now is Carlos Alcarazand he’s the participant to beat due to his pace and the depth of his sport.

It’s true that Djokovic remains to be up there and he’s proving his degree. Even if he’s now 36 and even supposing he’s removed from the extent he performed in 2011 and 2015, he’s nonetheless the person to beat, having received the Australian Open and Roland Garros.