Rafael Nadal's Uncle Toni Admits There's Chance He Could Miss Roland Garros
ATP
Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, has said the 22-time Grand Slam champion will not return to action until he is fully fit.
Nadal has struggled with injuries since pulling out of the 2022 Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios. The 36-year-old suffered an abdominal tear before the match and he has only played nine matches, winning four, since the incident last year.
Most recently, Nadal pulled out of the Barcelona Open and question marks have risen about when the Spanish player will return. When speaking to RMC's Bartoli Time, Nadal's Uncle Toni explained that his nephew will not rush a return just for the sake of it.
"I spoke with him on Saturday. And he will only come back if he is in good condition, 100%. He knows that otherwise it will not be good for him. He played the Australian Open without being on top. I think he wants to feel very good. He would like to arrive at Roland‐Garros with confidence and a good physique. For now, we have to wait. But he still has the mind to try to win another time.”- Toni Nadal told RMC Sport
With the French Open drawing closer, it remains to be seen whether Rafa will be able to get fit enough in time to return to Roland-Garros. Nadal is the reigning French Open champion and has won the event a record 14 times throughout his career.
But, Uncle Toni said he is not worried about Rafa's injury setbacks during the 2023 season. He is also backing his nephew to perform once again at the French Open this year.
“I have said many times about Rafa that even if he does not arrive in very good conditions, when he enters the Philippe‐Chatrier court, everything changes. He needs a few not-too-difficult matches to ramp up. I know Zverev, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Rune, Rublev are very strong. But with his mind, I also know that Rafa can win. I want to think the same this year.”
