Toni Nadal thinks Rafael Nadal will very likely choose to retire one day at the French Open or Madrid Masters. Nadal, 36, is a record 14-time French Open, while he has five titles at the Madrid Masters – which is Spain’s biggest tennis tournament.
Nadal, who will be turning 37 in early June, won two Grand Slams last year but he has had a very rough start to 2023. Until Nadal is winning and feels he is able to win, Uncle Toni expects his nephew to play. “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.
If he fully recovers, let him keep playing and we’ll see,” Toni Nadal told MARCA Sport.
Uncle Toni: Nadal is a French Open favorite
Nadal hasn’t played since the Australian Open due to a hip injury but he is expected to be able to return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters, which starts on April 9th.
Uncle Toni is confident his nephew can reach his targeted level for the French Open and be among the top favorites for the title. Uncle Toni also named Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz as the top favorites for the French Open.
“I think he could be the top favorite with Alcaraz, Djokovic and him. Alcaraz is at a very high level and is in the improvement phase. I think he will be among these three. Between the two rivals I don’t know how to tell you, none,” Toni Nadal said.
After being out for three months, Nadal is set to return to competitive action in Monte Carlo. Nadal is a record 11-time Monte Carlo champion.
