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

Tennis titans Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have spent much of the past 15 years at war with one another. And it stands to reason that the nature of their relationship as top-tier rivals has been put to the test on occasion.

It's a particularly sensitive time for Djokovic after injury at the French Open has thrown his 2024 calendar into doubt. The Serb had to withdraw from Roland Garros ahead of his quarter-final clash with Casper Ruud after tearing the medial meniscus in his right knee.

That's led to fans unearthing past comments made by Nadal's uncle, Toni, who not long ago joked about wishing injuries upon his nephew's peers. Fewer elite obstacles would certainly help Nadal prolong his Grand Slam career, but the remarks were considered wide of the mark by some.

“Now, what we need is, we need an injury of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and maybe Daniil Medvedev," Nadal Sr told the Majorca Daily Bulletin earlier this year. "We need that many. . .a lot of problems and then Rafa can play really good.”

While obviously a light-hearted attempt at humour - and even praise for his nephew's rivals - the comment was seen as insensitive by some. And the comments have been brought back to light in the wake of Djokovic's latest injury.

Nole battled to five-set victories over Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo at this year's French Open, with the 37-year-old having already missed out on the Australian Open crown. Depending on how his recovery plays out, he's now facing the possibility of a calendar year without major silverware for the first time since 2017, having been forced to undergo surgery just weeks out from Wimbledon.

While Nadal's family member may have spoken out of turn when he made the aforementioned joke, there's little reason for Djokovic's relationship with Rafa to have changed as a result. That being said, he may be inclined to give Toni - Nadal's coach from 1990 to 2017 - a wider berth in future.

Speaking to Catalan daily Sport, Bogdan Obradovic, former coach of Serbia's Davis Cup team, was forgiving of the remarks and spoke on Djokovic and his team's behalf, commenting: "We've always been friends with Nadal and his team. I don't know if it was taken out of context, if he wanted to be funny and missed everything. I look at Toni as our friend, I don't believe he meant any harm.”

Nadal's team can only hope Djokovic himself took the same peaceful approach to those remarks. However, that may prove easier said than done following the frustration of his latest knee setback.

Djokovic was quick to undergo surgery on his knee in an attempt to be fit for Wimbledon, which begins on July 1. However, one wouldn't begrudge the world No 3 feeling some frustration with Nadal Sr in light of what he foreshadowed.