Toni, the uncle and former coach of tennis legend Rafael Nadal, has proposed significant changes to the sport to reduce its intensity and make it “less violent.” He suggested that using smaller racket sizes could help prevent injuries caused by the demanding schedule players face. However, implementing this change could disrupt the established order as players would need to adjust their techniques.

According to Toni, tennis has become overly focused on power, with him being recognized as one of the prominent critics of this trend.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the outspoken ex-trainer emphasized the increasing speed of the game as a major factor contributing to injuries. He noted that the current style of play favors aggressive, fast movements over strategic gameplay.

On the other hand, Rafael Nadal has long advocated for the use of smaller rackets in tennis, believing it would make the game less aggressive and more accessible to amateur players while posing a challenge to professionals.

Toni expressed concerns that tennis authorities may not heed his suggestions due to a preference for maintaining the status quo, similar to how football evolved with rule changes after the 1990 World Cup.

Although Rafael Nadal achieved numerous Grand Slam victories under Toni’s guidance, he never secured an ATP Finals title, which Toni attributes partly to the sport’s resistance to change. He highlighted the importance of adapting tennis, like football did in the past, to better suit the physical demands on players.

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