Toni Nadal feels that critics and fans have discounted nephew Rafael Nadal far too soon after his foot issues flared up again in Rome.
Injuries become more and more part of the game as players grow old, and even the great Nadal is not immune to them. With his foot issues making themselves known once again at the Italian Open in Rome recently, many are discounting him from winning future tournaments.
Every tennis fan probably knows, from observing, how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam. Not only is it the increased amount of sets, and therefore tennis, that one has to play but also the seven matches required to claim the crown.
That is why it would be almost impossible to win one with a niggling injury, hence the reason why many tennis fans and experts are writing the Spaniard off for the upcoming Roland Garros.
However, uncle Toni has come out to put those doubters in their place. He firmly believes that Rafa is in contention to claim his 22nd Grand Slam title this time out at Roland Garros, praising the fighting spirit of his nephew.
"I know it's normal, people want to see a new figure, but you also say: don't give me [Rafa] up for dead so soon because I'm not a finished guy. We have seen it with football, Madrid had everything to do against PSG, Manchester City, and they won. The people who fight are usually always there, and Rafael is a fighter."
He continued by explaining that, while he may not be a favorite in the tournament as a whole, Rafa at Roland Garros will always be someone everyone will be looking to avoid because he knows he can beat anyone on his day.
"I limit myself to confirming a reality that I saw when people said that Rafael no longer has any chance of winning at Roland-Garros, but I think that when he goes out on the court if he is minimally fit, he is a rival to take into account."