Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal has shared his thoughts on Roger Federer’s return to action at the ATP Doha event.

Having missed the bulk of the last tennis season to recuperate from a second knee surgery and extending his spell on the sidelines into the new year, he missed the Australian Open. Federer announced his comeback at the Tour event in the Qatar capital, which is slated to get underway later this month.

A freelance tennis writer has quoted the Spaniard as saying that the very fact that the Swiss decided to return shows that he still backs himself to win titles.

Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni says Roger Federer’s return shows he still believes he can win Grand Slams

“If he comes back, it’s because he thinks he can win a Grand Slam again. He surprises everyone every year,” the celebrated coach said.

Before flying to Doha, the former World Number 1 posted a special message for fans saying that after being on the long, hard road to fitness, he was excited and “really pumped up” to be back.

Toni, who took his nephew under his wing when he was in his boyhood and groomed him into an all-conquering champion that he is today, said it isn’t easy to make a comeback at Federer’s age and start winning titles again.

Roger Federer pulled out of Australian Open this year to give himself more time to regain fitness

Toni said the Swiss came close to winning the Wimbledon in 2019 and he wouldn’t rule out more Grand Slam titles against his name.

“It won’t be easy but if there’s one person who is able to do it, it’s him,” the veteran coach said.

Speaking at an awards night in his homeland towards the end of last year, the Swiss champion revealed that his recovery from the surgery was still behind schedule and he wasn’t hopeful of competing at the Australian Open.

He later put out an official statement announcing his withdrawal from the year’s first Grand Slam.

Roger had begun a pre-season training block in Dubai weeks before the Australian Open but realized that he needed more time to regain full fitness and pulled out of the Major for the first time since he started playing Grand Slam tennis.

Read More: “Made Me a Better Player”: Roger Federer on Playing Against Novak Djokovic

Happy to see him knocking tennis balls again, Federer fans are eagerly counting down the days to his return.