Toni Nadal strongly believes that Rafael Nadal can win the French Open in 2024.

Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni Nadal recently said in an interview that he wishes that Novak Djokovic get injured ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, the statement that was meant as a joke was taken out of context and caused quite a stir in the tennis world, probably because the 62-year-old has made a similar comment before as well.

Talking about Rafael Nadal’s prospects on the 2024 Tour, Toni said that he still thinks that his nephew can win the French Open this season. Although Nadal is not in his best form, he is almost invincible in the French Open, having a record of 113-3 in the Grand Slam. He has won the French Open 14 times.

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

Speaking at the Rafa Nadal School of Sport at the Alfonso X el Sabio University, Toni Nadal said
Toni also emphasized the Paris Olympics. Rafael Nadal won Olympic gold medals at the 2008 Olympics (singles) and the 2016 Olympics (doubles). However, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic is most likely to be his biggest competitor in the tournament.

For that, my wish is for [Novak] Djokovic to get injured.

He joked
Toni Nadal had also used the same words ahead of Nadal’s return in the Brisbane International earlier this year.

Now, what we need is, we need an injury of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and maybe Daniil Medvedev. We need that many… a lot of problems and then Rafa can play good.

Novak Djokovic’s mentor responds to Toni Nadal’s wish for the Serb to get injured 

Back when Toni Nadal joked about Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic, and Daniil Medvedev getting injured ahead of the Brisbane International, it came to the attention of Novak Djokovic’s mentor Bogdan Obradovic.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (via The Guardian)
Talking about the statement, he acknowledged that it was probably made in a joking way, and he is sure that Toni does not wish harm to their team.

We have always been friends with Nadal and his team. We’ve always been friends. I don’t know if it was taken out of context if he wanted to be funny and missed everything… I see Toni as our friend, I don’t believe that he wishes us harm.

Obradovic said. 
Rafael Nadal will take part in the Indian Wells next after pulling out from the Australian Open and Qatar Open. He has won the tournament three times (in 2007, 2009 and 2013).