Nadal must ‘wait’ for return as Toni gives blunt French Open update

Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach has given an update on his recovery from injury after pulling out of both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Toni Nadal admitted that there was one key condition to the world No 14’s recovery, saying he must be at 100 per cent. While Toni still thought Nadal would be capable of winning the French Open, he gave a blunt assessment admitting that his nephew would continue to “wait” if he wasn’t fit.

Nadal has been sidelined for three months after picking up a leg injury at the Australian Open. The Spaniard has played just four matches this year – winning only one – and has continued to delay his comeback after missing the Monte Carlo Masters and this week’s Barcelona ATP 500.

It means there are now only two more tournaments before the French Open where the 22-time Major champion can get some matches under his belt before bidding for a 15th crown in Paris. But Nadal’s uncle Toni believes that he “has to wait” until he is in good condition – even if it means missing more events.

Speaking to RMC’s Bartoli Time, the 62-year-old said: “I spoke with him on Saturday. And he will only come back if he is in good condition, 100 per cent. He knows that otherwise it will not be good for him.”

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Toni admitted that Nadal had already made the mistake of competing when he wasn’t at his best at the Aussie Open, leading to his latest injury setback. “He played the Australian Open without being on top. I think he wants to feel very good,” he continued.

Nadal himself has made it no secret that he wants to be “competitive” in time for the French Open – his most successful tournament. And Toni echoed his claims, believing that the 36-year-old didn’t need much preparation to be his dominant self at Roland Garros.

“He would like to arrive at Roland Garros with confidence and a good physical condition. For now, we have to wait. But he still has the mind to try to win another time,” the current coach of Felix Auger-Aliassime explained.

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“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.” Toni also named five stars who could threaten Nadal’s chances but backed his nephew to pick up a record-extending 15th French Open and 23rd overall Grand Slam title.

He added: “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.”

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