A trio of major champions are the top contenders for Roland Garros, Toni Nadal says.
Toni Nadal, uncle and original coach of Rafael Nadal, says 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafa Nadal, world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are the prime Paris contenders.
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Speaking to the Spanish media to promote the Mallorca Open, Toni Nadal said he sees Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev as the next tier contenders.
"TsitsÃpas played a [2021] final in which he [led] 2-0 [sets] against Djokovic we will also have to see if Zverev catches the wave, who also plays very well, but the three main candidates are Alcaraz, Djokovic and Rafael, " Toni Nadal told the Spanish media.
The 19-year-old Alcaraz made history as the first man to conquer king of clay Rafael Nadal and champion Djokovic in succession at a clay-court tournament when he beat them back-to-back en route to the Mutua Madrid Open crown.
"[Alcaraz is] a special player," Toni Nadal said. "He does everything and does everything well. How far he will go I do not know, but he has the possibility of being very high, and for sure we will see him win many titles, I am convinced."
The current coach of Felix Auger-Aliassime also said Rafa Nadal, who is on the entry list to return at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters next month, is training and looks good in practice.
"I saw Rafael train the other day and he is at a good level," Toni Nadal said. "Then we will see in the matches, as he may lack a bit of rhythm.
"He has competed very few the last six months and that always affects, although he has always been a player who has caught the thread very quickly."
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open