At the Brisbane International, Rafael Nadal is back on the ATP Tour and playing at the top level. The Spaniard hasn’t participated in a competition since January 2023 after being forced to miss play with a series of injuries. But he’s been winning since making his comeback in Brisbane, taking down Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2 in the Round of 16 on Thursday and Dominic Thiem in the opening round.
Nadal was given a time violation warning during the match against Kubler after he returned from the toilet a few seconds late. But he wasn’t slow to explain why he had to wait, saying that the humidity in Brisbane made him change everything.
Nadal was questioned about what happened during the tie that led to the time violation warning in his post-match interview. Nadal said: “I think something was strange because I knew I had 5 minutes. Honestly, Brisbane is very humid. I had to change everything, every piece (laughs); it took a while. And honestly, on the walkie-talkie, they were calling me, telling me 1 minute, two minutes, and I came out at the right time. But, probably, I don’t know if the guy who was with me there said I was a few seconds later to the umpire than I was.”
He added: “The umpire told me 4 seconds later. I didn’t know if it was me; I don’t think so, but something happened in that period. But I am slow; I know that. But I am going to keep trying to improve in 2024.”
Rafa Nadal on the time violation
They were telling me in the walky talky… 3 minutes. 2 minutes. 1 minute. Half minute. I came out at the right time… I thought I was on time… I’m slow & I know that. I’m going to try to keep improving in 2024” 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 4, 2024
Nadal in Brisbane, ranking, and results in 2024
Now the world no.672, Nadal has a compiled 2-0 win-loss record in 2024. The Spaniard is participating in Brisbane where he toppled the world no.98 Dominic Thiem 7-5 6-1 and the world no.102 Jason Murray Kubler 6-1 6-2.
Rafael Nadal will fight against the world no.55 Jordan Thompson in the quarter on Friday at 8:00 pm on PAT RAFTER ARENA. Their head to head is 2-0 for Nadal.
Rafael won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
