Toni Nadal: "Hope Rafael's results won't be affected by the month-long hiatus"
After a month-long break, Rafael Nadal will only start again at the European clay court tournaments in Rome and Paris. His uncle, Toni Nadal, is hoping for a successful cold start.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Aug 11, 2020, 12:45 pm
It was probably the news that caused the most excitement in the tennis scene last week: Rafael Nadal , defending champion and four-time champion in New York, will not take part in the US Open due to the corona pandemic. In view of the still threatening situation in the Big Apple, he is currently not in the mood to take the trip across the Atlantic.
Instead, it can be assumed - also based on the latest training pictures, which show the world number two in striking exercises on sand - that Nadal will focus his full attention on defending his title in Rome and Paris. In particular in the Stade Roland Garros, where the French Open will take place from September 27th, experience has shown that the path to the title should only lead through the twelve-time Paris winner.
His uncle and long-time trainer, Toni Nadal, showed up in a post in El Pais not quite as optimistic, however. In view of the long tennis break, there is certainly some cause for doubt: "I hope that Rafael's results - especially in Roland Garros - will not be affected by the month-long break."
Missing spectators as a big downer
The 59-year-old can understand his nephew's decision not to attend the US Open. "I find the commitments from Djokovic, Thiem and Tsitsipas just as understandable as the rejections from Nadal, Federer and Wawrinka," explained Toni Nadal.
There is one thing that he can not make friends with: the lack of spectators. "I find it difficult to accept the absence of the crowd in the stands. There have been many moments when my nephew, like other tennis players, approached the spectators personally to thank them for their support. I can assure you that none The emotions they show when they win are what gives this sport its importance to a large extent and which evokes the adrenaline in a tennis player, "said Toni Nadal.