Toni Nadal, currently the director of the tennis player’s academy in Manacor, is pleased with his nephew’s positive return to the tennis courts after a year of inactivity.
Rafael Nadal’s uncle and mentor, Toni Nadal, was left impressed by his nephew’s comeback performance in the ATP 250 tournament. He appreciated the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s swift recovery to gain peak physical condition after extended breaks resulting from injuries.
In an interview with Onda Cero Mallorca, he opined on his nephew’s first win after returning to on-court action in the Brisbane International tournament. He said that the results being shown by the Spanish player are ‘better than expected’.
“Rafa can be very happy because the level he is showing is good enough. It’s an exciting start, but you have to see him in more difficult matches. At the moment, things are going almost better than we expected.”
WHAT A REVERSE SMASH FROM RAFAEL NADAL! 💥👏 pic.twitter.com/wUPTP82kdm
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) January 4, 2024
The legendary Mallorcan tennis figure also pointed out that injuries can take a toll on a player’s body and can make a comeback tricky for the player. However, he praised Rafa’s conditioning, which has allowed him to defer any such effects on his physique.
“Rafa has always had the ability to play well very quickly. Sometimes, after many injuries, he has returned even better than he had done before. This time it’s the most difficult because he is older, and it’s more difficult. Let’s see if he can continue at this level.”
Toni also said that if the former World No. 1 can get a few more matches with higher-ranked players at the Brisbane International, he can make a good run at the Australian Open as well.
“If Rafael manages to play a few more matches, if in Brisbane he plays with higher ranked players, and in the Australian Open he has a good draw, which is fundamental because he is not a seed, it is possible that he will have a good tournament in the Open.”
“In Madrid or at Roland Garros”, Toni Nadal, suggests Rafael Nadal retire at his peak.
Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal made some big predictions earlier as to where the 22-time Grand Slam champion can finally call it quits.
Although the Spanish legend has made a successful comeback to the court, questions about his retirement still linger. Rafael Nadal, himself, hasn’t addressed the topic openly yet, but his uncle, Toni, has some answers to where we can see the player end his career.
In an interview with a Spanish newspaper, Marca, the legendary coach opined on where Rafa can call retirement.
“In Madrid or at Roland Garros. The time will come and he will decide. When you lift a trophy, you convince yourself that you still have something to give. It’s hard to retire winning. I think Sampras did it. I haven’t talked about that about Rafa. I don’t know how much It fits him.”
