“Nadal has discomfort when serving, otherwise he has no problems when training” – Uncle Toni

A day after pulling out of Monte-Carlo, Rafael Nadal was back on the practice courts at his academy as he works towards a return

Rafael Nadal at the 2023 Australian Open Image Credit: Icon SMI / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

April 5, 2024

Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal, has revealed that the Spaniard is having trouble with his serve as the 22-time Grand Slam champion delayed his comeback once again by pulling out of next week’s Monte-Carlo Masters.

Nadal announced his withdrawal from Monte-Carlo, an event he has won 11 times, on Thursday. The 37-year-old has not played on the tour since the Brisbane International in the first half of January and also missed the last 11 months of the 2022 season.

“Either you go (to a tournament) 100 percent or better not participate,” Toni Nadal told the EFE news agency. “For the moment he can’t play there, he hasn’t recovered yet. He has discomfort when serving, otherwise he has no problems when training.”

“I don’t know what he will do regarding Barcelona and Madrid” – Toni Nadal

Toni Nadal was also unsure if his nephew will be fit in time to play in Barcelona and Madrid, the next two big events on clay.

“I don’t know what he will do regarding Barcelona and Madrid. I haven’t been in his team for years. When we see each other, I ask him how it’s going, but I don’t ask him about his plans. I hope he can play because it is necessary to have a good Roland Garros. A few days ago, I saw him and asked him. He told me that it was not going well, and I told him the same thing as always: ‘Let’s not complain, it has gone very well for us’ because we thought that his career would end in 2011 or 2012.”

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal was back on the training courts of his academy on Friday as seen on social media. giving fans hope that he will return soon to the courts.

Rafa Nadal practicing with high intensity.

Gives me hope for Roland Garros. 🥹🧡 pic.twitter.com/soptWtAkj8
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 5, 2024