Toni Nadal believes in a strong "Rafa" at the Australian Open
The Spanish French Open record winner is currently struck and paused due to a thigh injury.
by Ulrike Weinrich
last edit: Jan 06, 2019, 10:47 am
But for Toni Nadal, the lack of match practice is not an obstacle in view of the Australian Open starting on January 14th.
"It won't affect him. Rafael is at a very good level," said the 57-year-old to the Spanish radio station "Cadena Ser". Nadal missed the end of the 2018 season due to ankle surgery, among other things.
"Uncle Toni" believes: Others would have thrown in the towel long ago
Clearly it is only training that the 32-year-old completed in preparation: "But he almost always came back after an injury," said Toni Nadal, who had trained his nephew from an early age before he trained retired as a coach before last season.
"Uncle Toni" believes that Nadal will be ready at the beginning of the tournament and that he won't be injured into the boxhorn in the medium term. Others had "thrown in the towel" in "Rafa's" situation long ago, added Nadal Senior.
Bitter memories of Melbourne 2018
However, the Australian Open was not a sure-fire success for the left-hander in his career. It is the only Grand Slam tournament that Nadal has only won once (2009) - with a total of four finals.
This contrasts with eleven French Open coups, three US Open successes and two Wimbledon triumphs.
However, the world number two has rather bad memories of Melbourne 2018. In the quarterfinals he had to give up against Marin Cilic (Croatia) in the fifth set at 0-2 due to groin problems.
Last season Nadal was only able to play through nine tournaments completely.