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

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

The Mallorca Championships is one of the eight tournaments on the calendar that make up the grass swing. Its director, Toni Nadal, spoke to ATPTour.com about the peculiarities of the surface on which this ATP 250 tournament is played.

What do you need to play well on grass?
On grass the concept of tennis changes completely. While on clay you have to be a solid player with powerful and consistent shots from the baseline, here the court helps you when you have a good serve. When you hit the ball you don’t need so much power, but you have to hit it a little lower to make it hard for the opponent to return and that’s something that’s kind of forgotten in Spanish tennis, playing on grass.

Which players embody that style of tennis?
Roger Federer. Also, Pete Sampras. And for the Spaniards, Feliciano Lopez, although Rafael [Nadal] has obviously had better results. I think Feli’s game was more suited to it in the strict sense of the grass game. 

Speaking of Feliciano Lopez, he is one of the attractions at the Mallorca Championships, where he is ending his career…
We are lucky to have practically the biggest specialist here. It is true that Rafael was too, but Feliciano Lopez I think is the clearest exponent of grass tennis, with a powerful serve, with plenty of spin. He has some flat slice shots, which are very difficult for the opponent to return and he’s also a good volleyer. That’s what you need to play here.

You’ve mentioned your nephew twice. Can you describe the process of making him into a great grass-court player?

Rafael is a player that adapted well to the grass court, and until he had knee problems, I think he was a great grass-court player. He played in the Wimbledon final in 2006 and 2007. He won in 2008. In 2009 he didn’t play, in 2010 he won a second title and in 2011 he was in the final again. That is, he played five consecutive finals at Wimbledon, which demonstrates his level.

Why did he adapt so well, even though it’s not his favourite surface?
Rafael adapted well because, despite not having a big serve, he had very good movement around the court, good mobility, his volley was good enough and his speed allowed him to play very well at Wimbledon. I think if he hadn’t had the knee injury that made it difficult to play on that surface, he would have won there more times. 

You weren’t lucky enough to have a tournament at home like the Mallorca Championships you now direct.

No, unfortunately for us, the grass court was unusual. It was rare to play there. If we’d had this tournament at that time, we would have allowed ourselves to prepare here a certain time in advance, but that’s what there was at that time.That’s why, when I speak to those that run Spanish tennis, I say to them: “You don’t know how lucky you are to have a tournament of these characteristics here, a quality event, on a surface that’s quite unusual for us.” [Manuel] Santana, to prepare for the Wimbledon he won, had to go to Australia. Nowadays you can come here and prepare and play with quality players here in Mallorca.

How important are the Mallorca Championships for the island?
It’s hugely important. Having been able to get all the people together who have come to play this tournament in the last three years is difficult to do. The Mallorca Championships has done that. We’ve had the opportunity to see [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, [Novak] Djokovic, [Daniil] Medvedev and [Dominic] Thiem.

The opportunity the island has had to welcome these players is important for tennis lovers, but it’s also good in terms of communication to have an event of this category, which enhances our island as a sporting destination. I think it’s essential for the island.

What are your views on the 2023 edition?
The tournament is growing every year. I think that both the event and the infrastructure in general is growing, and people notice that. This tournament, although it’s new, after just three years on the Tour — and we know how difficult it is at first to put events of this category on and for them to work immediately — is establishing itself further.

I believe the players are happy to play here and although this year we’ve had problems with injuries to several global players, the lineup is still very good. I know, because I spoke to the players, they are very happy, both with their treatment and everything that comes with playing here.

Finally, are there any active players that have caught your eye on this surface?
Nowadays, tennis is very level, it has become a scientific sport — like almost all the others — in which you know what you have to do at all times, what you need to do to break down your opponent’s game. Evidently, the most special player today is Carlos Alcaraz, and he is the player to beat because of his speed and the intensity of his game.

It’s true that Djokovic is still up there and he’s proving his level. Despite the fact that he is now 36 and despite the fact that he is far from the level he played in 2011 and 2015, he is still the man to beat, having won the Australian Open and Roland Garros.