Novak Djokovic ‘feelings’ about Nadal’s team after controversial Uncle Toni comment

For the most of the last fifteen years, tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been at odds with one another. And it makes sense that their rivalry at the highest level has occasionally been put to the test.

Djokovic is particularly vulnerable right now because of an injury that may have jeopardized his 2024 schedule at the French Open. The Serbian had to pull out of Roland Garros before facing Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.

Fans have since discovered previous remarks made by Toni, Rafael Nadal’s uncle, who made light of the situation by joking that he wished harm on his nephew’s peers. T

hough some thought Nadal’s comments were off-target, it would undoubtedly help him extend his Grand Slam career if there were less hurdles.

“What we need right now is an injury to Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, and possibly Daniil Medvedev,” Rafael Nadal Sr. stated earlier this year to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. “Rafa can play really well if we have that many…a lot of problems.”

Some people found the remark offensive, despite the fact that it was clearly a lighthearted attempt at humor and even praise for his nephew’s competitors. And in the aftermath of Djokovic’s most recent injury, the remarks have been resurfaced.

This year at the French Open, Nole overcame Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo in five sets. The 37-year-old had already lost out on the Australian Open title.

After having to have surgery just a few weeks before Wimbledon, he may now have to go a full year without winning a major tournament for the first time since 2017. This will depend on how his recuperation goes.

Even if Nadal’s relative may have spoken inappropriately when he cracked the aforementioned joke, Djokovic and Rafa’s relationship doesn’t seem to have altered as a result.

Having said that, he might be persuaded to extend Toni’s employment in the future. Toni was Rafael Nadal’s coach from 1990 until 2017.

Former Serbian Davis Cup coach Bogdan Obradovic, who made the following statement to the Catalan daily Sport, expressed forgiveness for the insults made about Djokovic and his squad: “We’ve always been friends with Nadal and his team.”

I’m not sure if he was trying to be hilarious and missed everything, or if it was taken out of context. I consider Toni to be our buddy, and I don’t think he intended any damage.

All Nadal’s team can do is hope Djokovic responded to those comments with the same composure. That might be easier said than done, though, given how frustrated he is after his most recent knee injury.

Djokovic underwent knee surgery as soon as possible in an effort to be ready for Wimbledon, which gets underway on July 1. Given what Nadal Sr. hinted at, one wouldn’t blame the world No. 3 for feeling a little irritated with him.

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