Rafael Nadal's uncle Toni hopeful the 22-time Grand Slam winner can make French Open return - 'For now we have to wait'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 19/04/2023 at 08:28 GMT
Toni Nadal spoke about Rafael Nadal's preparations for the French Open after mostly recently pulling out of the Barcelona Open. He has already withdrawn Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters in a turbulent start to 2023. However, uncle Toni is confident that his nephew will be ready for Roland Garros come May 28 in his attempts to win a 15th Grand Slam title on clay.
Tsitsipas sees 'a lot of similarities' between Alcaraz and Nadal
Toni Nadal gave an update on nephew Rafael’s fitness and is hopeful that the ‘king of clay’ will be fit for the French Open.
The 36-year-old has been beset by injuries in recent months. His troubles accelerated after an abdominal tear forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon last year ahead of a semi-final with Nick Kyrgios.
Nadal’s woes continued this year. He was forced to withdraw from his second round match at the Australian Open against Mackenzie McDonald due to injury after a poor United Cup campaign which saw the Spaniard lose both of his games to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur respectively.
He most recently pulled out of the Barcelona Open as he continues his recovery from the injury picked up in Melbourne, which would have served as valuable preparation for Roland Garros.
“Barcelona is a special tournament for me because it’s my adopted club and because playing at home is always a unique feeling,” Nadal posted on Instagram.
“I'm still not prepared and therefore I'm still in my preparation process for the return to competition.
“Good luck to my friend [and tournament director] David Ferrer and his whole team for this edition of the Godo that will surely be a success as always on all levels.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had already withdrawn from Indian Wells, the Miami Open and the Monte Carlo Masters, in a worrying start to the year. However, Toni remains confident that Rafa can come back stronger.
Speaking to RMC Sport's 'Bartoli Time', Toni said: “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.
“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 [Alexander] Zverev, [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Novak] Djokovic, [Holger] Rune, [Andrey] Rublev are very strong. But with his mind, I also know that Rafa can win. I want to think the same this year.
"Even if Rafa wouldn't play any match before Roland-Garros, I'm confident. Sometimes when he arrived at Roland-Garros his first match was not so good, like was the case last year, but then match after match he played better and better.
"He plays round after round with more intensity, better and better with his legs, so I hope this year he can do the same even if it will be difficult."
The French Open begins on May 28, and Nadal is now targeting appearances at the Madrid Masters and Italian Open to build up towards the second Grand Slam of the calendar year.
- - -
Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement