The anticipation for Rafael Nadal’s return to the Australian Open in 2024 has been thrown into uncertainty as the tennis legend’s camp contradicts tournament chief Craig Tiley’s assertions.
Craig Tiley recently made headlines by confidently stating that Nadal would be among those making comebacks at the 2024 Australian Open. He said, “We can reveal exclusively that Rafa will be back.” However, Nadal responded to these claims by expressing gratitude for the vote of confidence but clarified that nothing was certain yet, stating, “I am practicing every day and working hard to come back asap.”
I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open… I am practising every day and working hard to come back asap 💪🏻😉
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 11, 2023
Nadal’s spokesperson further emphasized the uncertainty surrounding his schedule, indicating that it was too early to confirm his participation in the Melbourne event.
The 37-year-old Nadal has been battling a complex hip injury, forcing him out of competition for an extended period. His recent withdrawals from tournaments have raised concerns about his ability to make a successful comeback.
While Tiley also announced the expected return of former women’s champions like Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka, and Angelique Kerber, as well as the Grand Slam sensation Emma Raducanu, his past history of prematurely announcing player availability and their subsequent withdrawals has left fans cautious about the certainty of these claims.
As Nadal and other players continue their preparations, the 2024 Australian Open promises to be an event filled with anticipation and uncertainty, with fans eagerly awaiting further updates on the participation of these tennis greats.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Now the world no.240, Nadal played his last match on the 18th of January when he was defeated by world no.38 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
Currently, during this season Nadal has achieved a composed 1-3 win-loss record.
Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
