Toni Nadal’s Harsh Advice to Carlos Alcaraz: Quit Tennis If It’s Too Much
Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, ignited controversy with a blunt critique of Carlos Alcaraz, suggesting the 22-year-old Spaniard should “quit tennis” if the sport’s demands overwhelm him. In an explosive interview on the Nude Project podcast, reported by *Sportskeeda* and *Tennis-Infinity.com* on June 3, 2025, Toni reacted to Alcaraz’s Netflix documentary, *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*, which revealed the world No. 2’s struggles with the intense tennis schedule and his fear of the sport becoming an “obligation.” Toni, who hasn’t watched the full documentary, argued, “If it overwhelms him, then he should quit tennis. Life is a matter of sacrifice, not just doing what you want. If it’s not worth it, it’s better to change jobs,” emphasizing Alcaraz’s $40 million prize money and global fame as outweighing the sacrifices.
The documentary, released April 23, 2025, highlighted Alcaraz’s 2024 season, including his French Open and Wimbledon titles, but also his Ibiza trips, which drew criticism from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero and his team for lacking discipline, per *BBC Sport*. Toni contrasted Alcaraz’s mindset with Rafael’s, noting that his nephew never viewed tennis as a burden despite injuries, saying, “Rafa loved tennis, so it wasn’t sacrifice,” per *Tennis-Infinity.com*. Posts on X, like @eldebate_com, amplified Toni’s remarks, with @Pachilarrosa questioning his motives, suggesting a pattern of undermining Alcaraz, who’s seen as Rafael’s successor.
Alcaraz, currently in the 2025 French Open quarter-finals against Tommy Paul after a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Ben Shelton, dismissed claims he considered quitting tennis for soccer, telling *Sportskeeda*, “That’s a lie.” Rafael Nadal defended Alcaraz, arguing to *L’Equipe* that the documentary misrepresented his disciplined nature, per *Sportskeeda*. While Toni praised Alcaraz’s “devastating” game, calling him faster and more skilled than Jannik Sinner, his call to quit if overwhelmed sparked debate. Fans on X, like @LosPajarosPican, mocked Toni’s comments, while Alcaraz’s focus on his title defense shows his resilience amid the criticism.
