“I believe he will be ready”, Toni Nadal reassuring on the participation of Rafael Nadal

The Spanish player’s uncle was optimistic about Rafael Nadal’s return to the courts and his presence at the Paris tournament.

By Le Figaro with AFP

Published on 04/28/2023 at 2:29 p.m.update on 04/28/2023 at 2:46 p.m.

Toni Nadal, uncle and ex-coach of Rafael Nadal, told Marca radio on Friday that his nephew, who is recovering from a hip injury at the Australian Open, “will be ready for Roland Garros», and that he is not yet thinking about retirement.

«He is fine. Obviously he would prefer to be back in competition, but he is fine“, assured Toni Nadal on Radio Marca on the night of Thursday to Friday, while his nephew had to forfeit the Masters-1000 in Madrid (April 26 – May 7).

«He had an injury that led to some complications“, Slipped Toni Nadal. According to him, “Rafa» «still have to wait a bit, but I think there’s not much missing so that we can see him again on the courts“, he said.

Nadal, 36, suffered a psoas (hip flexor) injury in the second round of the Australian Open on January 18, losing to American Mackenzie McDonald in three sets. He has not played since in competition.

Even if the duration of his unavailability was initially planned at six or eight weeks, his absence “stretched out a little longer than they told us“Agreed Toni Nadal.

»READ ALSO – Roland-Garros: red alert for Djokovic and Nadal

«I believe he will be ready for Roland Garros“Said the former coach of Rafael Nadal, who will be in the running for a 15th potential coronation in Paris, and a 23rd Grand Slam, which would be a record for men.

«Afterwards, for things to go well, he would have to arrive with some preparation, and the objective is to be ready to participate in the Rome tournament, play a little there, and then try to do something thing at Roland Garros“, continued Toni Nadal, one month from the French Open (May 28 – June 11), where “Rafacould celebrate his 37th birthday. “No, Rafa is not thinking about retirement. He thinks about recovering well and continuing to play, because that’s what he likes», concluded Toni Nadal.