Bogdan Obradovic downplays Toni Nadal's Novak Djokovic injury joke

The ex-coach of Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic, Bogdan Obradovic, believes that the uncle of the former world number one Rafael Nadal, Toni Nadal, was joking when he claimed that Djokovic getting injured would help the Spaniard in the Australian Open 2024.

Both players are regarded as two of the greatest in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era.

While Djokovic has dominated men’s tennis for most of the last five years, Nadal has struggled with fitness concerns.

This is why he missed three out of four Grand Slams in 2023. Last year, the former world number one announced that the 2024 season would be his last at the highest level.

Before his potential return, Nadal’s uncle Toni commented that if Djokovic got injured before the Australian Open, it would help his nephew’s chances.

That comment did not go down well with the fans of the current world number three, who were furious on the social media platform.

However, the 37-year-old’s former coach, Obradovic, was recently quoted in a report, stating that he believes that comment was made in a rather humorous manner.

"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," he said.

Nadal did return to the court during the Brisbane International in January but suffered an injury during the competition, which eventually ruled him out of action for the next two months.

He recently returned to the court during the Barcelona Open but failed to meet the expectations.

On the other hand, Djokovic did participate in the Australian Open but eventually lost in the semifinal to the newly crowned world number one, Italy’s Jannik Sinner, with a score of 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3.

The 22-year-old won the title after beating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final in a five-set thriller with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3.