Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni Nadal has revealed that the retired tennis champion is excited about the prospect of playing exhibition matches with Roger Federer.
Speaking after Nadal's emotional ceremony at Roland Garros, Toni indicated his nephew is likely to resume training in preparation for these potential exhibitions.
"I know him [Rafa] well enough to know that he is excited about the idea of playing exhibition matches with Federer," Toni said.
He expects Rafael to begin training again soon, stating: "Probably, in the coming months or in 2026, he will train hard again to be ready for these exhibitions."
Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni Nadal has revealed that the retired tennis champion is excited about the prospect of playing exhibition matches with Roger Federer
REUTERS
Toni Nadal emphasised that tennis remains central to his nephew's life despite his retirement in November 2024.
"Tennis has been vital in his life and that cannot be erased overnight," he explained, suggesting the sport's enduring importance to the 14-time Roland Garros champion.
The former coach acknowledged he has no specific knowledge of exhibition arrangements but expressed confidence they will materialise.
His comments came after witnessing the emotional ceremony at Roland Garros where Nadal's footprint was left on the court to mark his status as the tournament's most successful player.
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Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were recently reunited at the French Open
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Nadal has openly admitted to not picking up a racket since retiring at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in November, marking a radical change for someone who competed for so many years.
The ceremony at Roland Garros saw Federer reunited with his great rival, alongside Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Nadal made touching comments about the impact all three players had on his career, though he is known to be closer off court to Federer than the others.
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Federer and Nadal's final professional meeting came in the semi-finals of the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, where the Swiss maestro defeated his rival in four sets.
This was their first encounter at SW19 since the 2008 final, which Nadal won in what some consider the greatest match in tennis history.
A few weeks before their Wimbledon meeting, Nadal had overcome Federer in straight sets in the 2019 French Open semi-final.
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The pair's special bond was demonstrated at the 2022 Laver Cup, where they played doubles together in Federer's final appearance before retirement.
This emotional farewell highlighted their unique relationship, which has transcended their fierce on-court rivalry over the years.
Toni previously caused a stir by suggesting that Federer and Nadal are more respected than Djokovic because of how they have carried themselves throughout their careers.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history
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Many deemed this assessment harsh on the Serbian, who has also been an outstanding ambassador for tennis.
The presence of all three legends at Nadal's Roland Garros ceremony made Djokovic reflect on his own retirement, with the 38-year-old acknowledging that his time to hang up his racket will come within the next few years.
He is playing on for now, however, with the veteran eager to win the French Open for the fourth time in his career after previous triumphs in 2016, 2021 and 2023.
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