Rafael Nadal former coach and uncle has talked about the stipulations for his nephew to return to his most favorite major Roland Garros.
Nadal who is absent from the tour since the AO after sustaining a grade two tear to his iliopsoas has spoken to his uncle and while he is back on the court for training, the Spaniard confirmed his unavailability for the match-court in Barcelona.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was coached by his uncle Toni from the age of 4 to 31 and their relationship produced 17 Grand Slam titles, 30 Masters 1000 titles and an Olympic gold during that period.
Toni Nadal confirmed that he has talked to his 36-year old nephew about his return to the tour, “I spoke with him on Saturday. And he will only come back if he is in good condition, 100%.”
He added, “He (Nadal) 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.”
While Rafa has only secured 1 win in his 4 matches in the current season, Toni who know works with Félix Auger-Aliassime, said that his old pupil has an opportunity to clinch a record extending 15th French Open.
“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,” said Toni Nadal.
“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.”
He added, “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.”
Nadal’s Route to Potential Return for French Open
With Roland Garros (starting 28th May) just around the corner and begins in over a month’s time, Nadal’s appearance at the preparatory clay events is still a question that seems unanswered for now. The Mallorcan has already opted out of Monte Carlo and Barcelona and may even withdraw from Madrid which begins on April 26. If he skips the home event, the only lead tournament he gets before Roland Garros would be Italian Open (Begins May 10th).