Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni has expressed his belief that Roger Federer prevented his nephew from winning another Wimbledon title. The Spaniard has won two of his 22 Grand Slam titles at the grasscourt Major.Nadal, Federer, and Novak Djokovic, collectively known as the ‘Big 3,’ dominated men’s tennis for two decades, racking up a staggering 66 Grand Slam titles between them. They also forged thrilling rivalries with each other, regularly delivering memorable clashes on the grandest stages of the sport.Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni recently praised his nephew’s remarkable talent, suggesting that he was the player who performed the best in uncomfortable situations, despite lacking Federer’s trademark elegance.
Toni also reflected on the “extraordinary” convergence of the ‘Big 3’ in the same era, acknowledging its role in their development while lamenting that it had also deprived them of adding to their trophy cabinets.
The Spaniard won his maiden Wimbledon title in 2008, claiming a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 win over Federer in the title clash after two consecutive final losses to the Swiss legend at the grasscourt Major. He secured his second victory in 2010, beating Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.Federer, meanwhile, won a record eight Wimbledon titles during his illustrious career. The Swiss legend’s dominance at SW19 is evidenced by his 3-1 winning record against the 22-time Grand Slam champion at the prestigious event.