Uncle Toni ‘very excited’ to see Rafael Nadal’s recovery and Wimbledon return in 2024 after surgery

Toni Nadal says he is “very excited” to see nephew Rafael Nadal’s return at Wimbledon next year.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is not playing Wimbledon this summer as he recovers from surgery.

Nadal made his first appearance at Wimbledon 20 years ago and made five consecutive finals stretching from 2006 to 2011, winning two.

Toni Nadal coached his nephew from when he was a junior through to 2017, winning 16 Grand Slam titles together.

Remembering his nephew’s Wimbledon debut, Toni Nadal added: “It was the first time that Rafael had the opportunity to participate in one of the four big tournaments [Grand Slams].

“He was just 17 years old and his professional career was limited to three previous tournaments: Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Hamburg.

“His first meeting was on court No. 7 against the Croatian Mario Ancic. Despite then-tennis guru Nick Bolletieri’s prediction that our opponent would prevail easily, Rafael managed to not only win the match in four sets, but also reach a creditable third round.

“He then beat Englishman Lee Childs before he fell to Thai player Paradorn Srichaphan.

“That first experience helped us to return home with the confidence that, indeed, my nephew’s play could be adapted to the grass surface.

“‘One day we have to win here’, I told him before leaving the club and flying back to Mallorca. I remember that precise moment and how this phrase became one of the great hopes in Rafael’s career.

“Good proof that we put in all our efforts were the five consecutive finals that he played on the Centre Court of the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club.”

Nadal made the semi-finals on his last two appearances at Wimbledon.

Last year he didn’t play in his semi against Nick Kyrgios due to injury.

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