Toni Nadal didn't even think twice in vouching Rafael Nadal as one of the favorites in the upcoming French Open championships, especially with the way his nephew is playing as of late.
He is once again feeling it. After almost two years of inconsistency, Rafa's comeback to the top of the tennis world is imminent in the eyes of Toni Nadal, whose position as the lead coach to his nephew had been nothing but secured.
But after Nadal's spirited run that saw him bagging the Monte Carlo Masters title for the 9th time, Toni is once again back in his element, letting everyone know that the King of Clay has returned to take his throne at Roland Garros.
"Yes. Rafael is at a level that could allow him to be a clear favourite to win. The top favourite will be Novak Djokovic, but the level showed by Rafa indicates that he can be one of the favourites," Nadal's coach told World Tennis [Fox Sports].
"As for his game and confidence, the victory in Monte Carlo is more than one title because Rafael moved like before, mentally he was so strong, he handled the difficulties. The matches like the one against Murray that required a better playing level were a plus."
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Nadal has been on a roll of late, riding on a eight-match winning streak. At Barcelona Open, the Bull of Manacor hasn't dropped a set yet and already beaten the person that has given him a fair share of trouble the past two years, Fabio Fognini of Italy, in the quarterfinals 6-2, 7-6.
Nadal is two wins away from bagging his 9th Barcelona Open, but he'll nevertheless face some quality opposition Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semis and likely two-time reigning champ Kei Nishikori in the finals.
Stan Wawrinka, whom Nadal defeated in the quarters of Monte Carlo, believes Nada's red-hot form has drastically changed the situation for the remainder of the clay-court season. He added Nadal's resurgence as a force to be reckon with makes the upcoming tournament in Madrid and Rome much more interesting.