(Madrid) 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 which led to some complications,” slipped Toni Nadal. According to him, “Rafa” “still has to wait a bit, but I think there is 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 “has lengthened a little more than what they had told us”, agreed Toni Nadal.
“I believe he will be ready for Roland-Garros,” said the former coach of Rafael Nadal, who will be in contention for a 15e crowning potential in Paris, and a 23e Grand Slam, which would be a men’s record.
“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 at Roland-Garros”, continued Toni Nadal, one month before the French Open (May 28 -June 11), where “Rafa” could celebrate his 37e anniversary.
“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.
