Felix Auger-Aliassime has given an update on his coaching relationship with Toni Nadal after reaching the semi-final of the Madrid Open. The Canadian hired Rafael Nadal‘s uncle and former coach in 2021 but Toni has been absent from his box over the last few months. Auger-Aliassime has now confirmed that Toni is no longer “actively” a part of his team, though they are still in touch.
Toni is still listed as one of Auger-Aliassime’s coaches on the official ATP website. But the status of their partnership has been unclear for several months, with the Spaniard spending his time in Mallorca instead of travelling with the world No. 35.
And Auger-Aliassime confirmed on Thursday that the 63-year-old was no longer an active part of his team, though he remains with his long-time coach Frederic Fontang, who joined him in Madrid. “My coach has been here this whole tournament, Frederic, you saw him on the court. My physio, my friends, hitting partner,” he said after getting a walkover into the Madrid Open semi-final.
“And no, Toni is back home. So far we are travelling just this team together.” With Toni no longer a part of the team, Auger-Aliassime’s dad is joining the 23-year-old at more and more tournaments.
He continued: “My dad has been also with me more and more this year. In the indoors he was with me, he was with me Monte Carlo and Munich. So my dad is also a big help at times, he’s going to be at the French Open.
“Until further notice, Toni, we’re still in touch but he’s not like actively part of the team like travelling and with me. But he was always a good voice, good [to] add let’s say somebody from the outside that has experience. But he’s not actively with us this week.”
Auger-Aliassime is doing just fine without Nadal’s uncle and former coach, as he is through to a Masters semi-final for the first time since November 2022. The Canadian ended Casper Ruud’s seven-match winning streak in the round of 16 and got a walkover after Jannik Sinner withdrew ahead of their quarter-final clash.
