Toni Nadal makes a big Rafael Nadal prediction as he reveals the Spaniard's 'best ever experience'

Toni Nadal has expressed his belief in Rafael Nadal by proclaiming that he still thinks his nephew will win the French Open title this year despite his injury struggles. 

The legendary coach also divulged that Nadal told him competing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing was “the best experience he had ever had.”

Nadal has enjoyed staggering dominance at the French Open, having won the clay-court Grand Slam a staggering 14 times between 2005 and 2022. The Mallorcan holds an outrageous 112-3 (97%) record at Roland Garros.

The former world No 1 missed the French Open for the first time since 2004 last year as he was forced to postpone his planned comeback from injury during the clay-court season.

The 37-year-old played his first tournament in almost a year at the Brisbane International last month, where he reached the quarter-finals. Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Australian Open due to a hip muscle issue that surfaced during his loss to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane.

Prior to Brisbane, Nadal had not played a singles match since losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open, where he sustained a hip injury. He underwent arthroscopic surgery to treat the psoas muscle in his hip in June 2023.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion was due to make his return at the ATP 250 tournament in Doha next week, but he announced his withdrawal on Wednesday.

“I would have loved to play in Doha, where the tournament team, as well as the amazing Qatar fans, have always supported me greatly,” said Nadal in a social media post.

“Unfortunately I am not ready to compete and I won’t be able to come to Doha where I really wanted to be and play again after that unforgettable win in 2014. I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.”

Speaking at the Rafa Nadal School of Sport at the Alfonso X el Sabio University, Toni Nadal discussed his nephew’s comeback and made a bold prediction.

“I still think that Rafael will go to Roland Garros [this year] and that he will win,” he asserted.

The renowned coach also spoke about the prospect of Nadal, who won gold medals at the Olympics in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016, competing at this year’s Paris Games.

“The Games, for anyone, even for those who have other tournaments like Wimbledon in tennis, due to a tradition and a desire of any athlete, are something special,” Nadal added.

“[Rafael Nadal told me] the Beijing Games were the best experience he had ever had, which he won thanks to the rest of the Spanish athletes and the atmosphere there.”

The 62-year-old communicated his hope Nadal “will bring a medal” at the Olympics and joked that “for that, my wish is for [Novak] Djokovic to get injured.”

The Mallorcan coached Nadal from his childhood until 2017, helping him win 16 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. The 62-year-old is the director of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca and has also been working with ATP star Felix Auger-Aliassime since 2021.