Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed his return to professional tennis after a challenging year marked by injury setbacks. The Spaniard, who faced a tumultuous period following an unexpected early exit at the Australian Open earlier this year, has unveiled plans for his comeback, commencing at the Brisbane event in January.
Having endured a difficult year of rehabilitation following a hip issue that sidelined him since January, Nadal shared the news of his return through a social media post, expressing his readiness to rejoin the tour. “After one year outside of the tour, I think it is the right moment to be back. So, I feel ready to announce that I will be back in Brisbane in the first week of the season,” stated Nadal.
This decision marks a pivotal milestone in Nadal’s recovery journey, particularly after his surprising second-round defeat at the hands of Mackenzie McDonald in the 2023 Australian Open. His participation in the ATP 250 event starting on December 31 signals a positive trajectory towards potentially competing in the upcoming Australian Open.
Speaking about his comeback, Nadal acknowledged the uncertainties he faced regarding his return to the sport. “Until now, I didn’t know if I would ever play tennis again and now, I think so. What has changed from a few weeks ago to now is that now I know that I am going to play tennis again,” remarked the former World No. 1. He emphasized the positive strides in his recovery and refrained from specifying the exact tournament for his return, citing ongoing progress.
🎧👀💪🏻😉 pic.twitter.com/iH7NvsQGMT
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 1, 2023
Nadal’s hiatus from the court has seen a decline in his ATP men’s rankings, currently placed at 663rd, following his last victory against Jack Draper in this year’s Australian Open. Despite his forthcoming return, some experts caution that he might not immediately reach his former peak, with opinions suggesting that Nadal might face challenges to contend for a Grand Slam title upon his return.
Commenting on Nadal’s potential, a source from Tennis Infinity remarked, “I wish Rafa all the best, but he’s not at the exact same level he was before so I don’t think he’s a contender to win a Slam. I think he can be competitive and I think he’s a rough out for anybody on clay, but it depends on his health.”
As Nadal prepares to make his much-anticipated return, the tennis world eagerly awaits to witness his comeback journey and how he navigates his return to the upper echelons of professional tennis.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Now ranked no.663, Rafael played his last match on the 18th of January when he lost to world no.41 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
This season the Spaniard owns an overall 1-3 record.
Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |
