Toni Nadal: I hope Rafa plays for seven more years

Toni Nadal had previously suggested Rafa might only last two or three more years, saying earlier in April that he "was not a tennis player, but an injured person who plays tennis".

But his outlook is now more positive, despite his nephew being plagued with injuries throughout his career.

"I am very proud and happy with what Rafael has done in tennis," Toni Nadal told ATP Tennis Radio.

"I hope he can play five, six, seven years more so I can watch him on TV."

Rafa Nadal is chasing an unprecedented 12th title at the Barcelona Open this week as he fine-tunes his preparations for next month’s French Open.

The 32-year-old is battling with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic to amass the most Grand Slam titles in history.

Federer leads the race on 20, with Nadal on 17 and Djokovic on 15. But with the Swiss great approaching his 38th birthday, it is far from inconceivable he can be usurped – particularly with Nadal's dominance on clay.