Serbian media criticises Rafael Nadal's uncle for joking about rivals' injuries
Rafael Nadal's outstanding career seems to be gradually winding down. It's plausible that this season might be his last. After all, he returned at the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane, having taken a considerable break due to hip complications.
16 February 2024 18:42
Another setback occurred when a defeat in Australia led to Nadal incurring another injury. Consequently, he was forced to miss the Australian Open Grand Slam and was scheduled to return for a tournament in Doha, though he ultimately had to step down.
Recently, Toni Nadal, the tennis player's uncle, granted an interview with the "La Sexta" channel. He disclosed his belief that his nephew would resurface at the Roland Garros, where he's celebrated 14 victories and anticipates being successful yet again. However, Nadal is set on winning an Olympic medal at the imminent 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
At this point, Nadal's family member chose to share a joke that he hadn't previously made public, which was a dig at his nephew's biggest competitor, such as Novak Djokovic.
"I hope that in August Rafa will return with a medal from the Olympic Games. Therefore, my wish is for Djokovic and a few other players to get injured. Then Rafa could win," Toni Nadal remarked, clarifying that it was indeed just a jest.
Regardless, the comment drew criticism, particularly from Serbian media. The portal kurir.rs was notably ruthless, refusing to dismiss his words.
"Nadal's sick and disgraceful words about Novak. (...) You simply can't make statements like these, especially during an interview disseminated to a worldwide audience of millions," the Serbian portal's article reads.
This wasn't the first instance of Toni Nadal making such comments. A few months prior, he joked that injuries befalling Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev would require his relative to fare well in the Australian Open Grand Slam, which he ultimately did not compete in.
