Toni Nadal has revealed he thought his nephew Rafael Nadal was the favourite in the Grand Slam race, but believes the 2021 French Open outcome has changed this.
The 60-year-old coached Nadal from his childhood up until 2017 – and now works with world No. 19 Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Novak Djokovic won his 19th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this month, and is now just one behind Nadal and Roger Federer – who both have 20.
“The truth is that before Roland Garros I saw Rafael [as the favourite], now the subject has changed a bit,” the Spaniard said in an interview with Marca.
“I wrote that the next Wimbledon and US Open are going to define things a bit because I understand that each year it will be more difficult to win.
“[Stefanos] Tsitsipas was already on the verge of beating Djokovic in Paris, [Daniil] Medvedev and [Alexander] Zverev are already there, [Jannik] Sinner, [Lorenzo] Musetti are coming.”
The Mallorcan added on Djokovic’s chances of winning the ‘Golden Slam’ this year: “It is very difficult, but it is possible because he is [the world] number one.”
