Rafael Nadal (Photo : Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal's long-time coach and uncle Toni believes the King of Clay would turn the tides next year and win his 10th title at the French Open.
Toni is confident about Rafa's chances when his nephew opens his bid for next season. In an interview with Spanish media outlet Mallorca Esports, Toni said he is confident that Rafael would once again play at a high level in 2017, insisting that the best of the 14-time Grand Slam winner will be witnessed by fans next year.
"We will see the best Rafael Nadal next year, it will be a great season," Toni Nadal said as translated by Tennis World.
"I think at Roland Garros we will be among the favourites with Djokovic. There are Murray and others as well, but I am confident that the tenth Roland Garros title can come.
Nadal has insisted about his desires to be on top of the world rankings again, despite struggling for fitness and finding his old form. After slipping down the ATP World Rankings, Nadal expressed determination of getting back at the summit, while admitting that winning the French Open isn't on top of his list yet.
"I would not focus on this record, I am not necessarily interested in beating it. I have the enough passion for tennis in order to be No 1," Nadal told Spanish XL Semanal magazine as quoted by Tennis World.
"I don't worry about how I am going to win the French Open next year. I think more in the short term: about my training tomorrow, what I want to achieve there. It is important to recognize the small successes. It is the small steps which bring you satisfaction at the end of the day."
Nadal has yet to win a major title since conquering the French Open in 2014. The Mallorcan had a chance to go for a "La Decima" in this year's edition of the event, but a left wrist injury forced Nadal to retire from the tournament, forcing him on the sidelines for a lengthy period of time.
Meanwhile, Toni also provided an update on the condition of Rafa's left wrist and the latter's preparation for his bid next season. Rafa decided to skip the remainder of the season to recuperate from the injury, but Toni assured the 30-year-old Spaniard's recovery is going according to plan.
"We started to practice for an hour per day, every day, and at the moment it is going well. We are going step-by-step like the doctor suggested," Toni added.
Nadal is set to return to the tennis scene next month at the Mubadala Championships in Abu Dhabi, where he competes against the likes of Andy Murray, Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Video courtesy: YouTube/Raz Ols
