Toni Nadal expects nephew Rafael Nadal to return at Australian Open after almost a year out with hip injury

ByJames Hilsum

Updated 03/11/2023 at 12:05 GMT

Toni Nadal has fuelled speculation that Rafael Nadal could be back on court for next year's Australian Open in January. The Spaniard has not played since competing in Melbourne earlier this year, when he suffered a second-round exit at the hands of MacKenzie McDonald. The 37-year-old has tempered expectations over his much-anticipated return, and his uncle says he will be "cautious".

Toni Nadal is expecting his nephew Rafael Nadal to return to action at the Australian Open in January after almost a year out.

Nadal has not featured on the court since a shock second-round exit to MacKenzie McDonald at this year's Australian Open, with a hip injury ruling him out of the rest of the season.

He underwent surgery in the summer and has seen Novak Djokovic surpass his previous record haul of 22 Grand Slam titles as he has moved to 24.

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Nadal, who has slumped down to 240th in the ATP rankings, previously tempered expectations over a return in Melbourne when speaking at an event in Madrid last month.

However, his uncle Toni remains confident that Rafael will be back on the court for the first major of 2024.

Asked about his nephew’s return, Toni told Spanish radio station Onda Cero: “I believe that it will come at the Australian Open.

“Obviously my nephew intends to be cautious, which is what he has to do. Every day he is getting a little better. It is true that it has been a very long injury, but hey, it is what it is.

"It is a high-level sport; in the end it is almost obligatory to play with pain, unfortunately, because you push your body to the limit.

“Pushing it to the limit is what makes you have all these problems."

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Rafael Nadal holds the all-time record for 14 French Open titles but his uncle admits it could be a big ask to add to that haul in 2024.

"He is aware that the situation is complicated,” Toni explained.

“Let's say he manages to get to Australia; it will not be easy to compete again with an added problem.

“He will not be seeded, so he could face a high-level player. When Rafa plays a Grand Slam, he is usually given an affordable opponent to give him momentum, allowing him to be a dangerous threat from the quarter-finals onwards."

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Meanwhile, should Rafa’s recovery go as planned, then there is the tantalising possibility of competing alongside Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“If Rafael is in good condition, then I think he would be a very good couple,” Toni added.

“I assume that Carlos is in good condition, so let's see if there is a possibility of winning an Olympic gold in singles or doubles."

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