Toni Nadal concedes he felt sorry for Roger Federer after the 20-time Grand Slam champion failed to convert two championship points in his epic Wimbledon final loss to Novak Djokovic.
The world No. 1 successfully defended Wimbledon in the first men's major final decided in a fifth-set tie breaker.
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Uncle Toni Nadal, Rafael Nadal's uncle and original coach, wrote in his column for El Pais he felt for Federer while praising both champion and finalist.
"This time I'm sorry, really, for Roger," Toni Nadal wrote. "I know how to feel after having wasted two match points with his service and, at this moment, it is hard for me to write these lines thinking about him.
"I do not know what was best for our interests but, as everything was developed, I did not want his defeat at all. Both contenders showed why they are among the best in history. Federer, once again, has shown that the years do not pass for him and Djokovic is a tireless fighter."
Five-time Wimbledon winner Djokovic captured his 16th career Grand Slam crown, which puts him two behind 18-time major champion Nadal and four majors away from matching Federer's all-time mark of 20 Grand Slam titles.
Toni Nadal says ultimate ownership of the Grand Slam record is very much up in the air.
"In this final, like all those who are fighting the two together with Rafael, not only is the trophy at stake but also which of them will finish his career with more Grand Slam titles. 20, 18 and 16," Toni Nadal wrote. "The locker is very tight even though until a few years ago we thought it was, if not impossible, very difficult to reach Federer.
"Today everything is more in the air than ever. And this brings me to a consideration that goes beyond counting. They are the three, Novak, Roger and Rafael, who are jointly contributing to the current one is a golden age of men's tennis that can hardly be repeated. Each one of them is understood and valued better compared to the other two, and it is the three together that are enhancing our discipline and sports in general."