Spain’s Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner, has been sidelined since January with a left hip flexor harm that he suffered within the Australian Open. File| Photo Credit: AP

Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, is optimistic his nephew will play on the French Open, however admitted Tuesday that the report 14-time champion won't arrive underneath ideally suited circumstances.

"Rafa is recovering, I think it won't be long before he can compete again, but in the tournament here (the Madrid Open) it could not be," Toni Nadal informed Spanish public broadcaster TVE.

Rafa Nadal introduced he wouldn't take part in Madrid final week as he continues to recuperate from the hip harm he suffered in January within the Australian Open.

The 36-year-old mentioned restoration was not going as deliberate and he would strive a brand new kind of therapy, with out setting a deadline for himself to heal, casting doubt over his participation in Paris.

He is hoping to perform a record-extending twenty third males's Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, with the match starting on May 28.

"Obviously he will not arrive with good preparation, we must not fool ourselves, because, obviously, since January 10 I think, he hasn't played any matches," added Toni Nadal.

Nadal pulled out of final month's hard-court tournaments within the U.S., together with his sights set on a return at first of the clay-court season, however it didn't come to fruition, lacking the Barcelona and Madrid occasions in addition to Monte Carlo.

"He hasn't competed for quite some time, apart from that, before January, he didn't compete much either, but I think Rafael will pick up form soon," continued Toni Nadal.

"In a Grand Slam, it depends a lot on the draw. If you're lucky enough to have a good draw in the first rounds, then... well.

"Rafael within the second week is already a favorite, within the first week, recently perhaps he isn't, he was not final yr in Australia, however from the second week, you say nicely, we will depend on him.

"And I hope the same thing happens at Roland Garros."