Rafael Nadal will take on old opponent Dominic Thiem in the first singles match of his comeback at the 2024 Brisbane International in what seems to be an exciting encounter to start the new season.
The legendary Spaniard was aware that he would participate in a qualifying match following the Saturday draw, and he has now discovered that he will face the biggest name possible. The ATP 250 tournament will begin with a match between Nadal and Thiem. The winner will go on to play either Aslan Karatsev or Jason Kubler.
Between 2014 and 2020, Nadal played 2020 US Open champion Thiem 15 times; six of those matches were at Grand Slams. With a 9–6 head-to-head record, the Spaniard has beaten the Austrian in the French Open finals of 2018 and 2019. He also triumphed in a thrilling five-set match in the US Open quarterfinals of 2018.
In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the ATP Finals, both in 2020, Thiem emerged victorious in the pair’s last two encounters.
After suffering a hip injury in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open in January, Nadal has not participated in events. In June, the 37-year-old had surgery to treat the problem; at first, it was anticipated that he would be gone for six to eight weeks.
LOCKED IN: Rafa v Domi in the first round 🍿🍿🍿#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/FvKZZfcb0R
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) December 31, 2023
Rafa Nadal & Dominic Thiem will face off in the first round of Brisbane.
This will be Rafa’s first match in 12 months.
Meanwhile, Domi had to qualify to make the main draw.
What a matchup to kick off 2024.
Let’s go. 🇪🇸🇦🇹 pic.twitter.com/1Ls3ilBuEx
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 31, 2023
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Ranked no.670, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of January when he surrendered to world no.41 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
Currently, during this season Rafael has a compiled 1-3 match record.
He is also scheduled to play at the Australian Open (Australian Open) on the 14th of January and Brisbane (Brisbane International) on the 31st of December.
Thiem in Brisbane, ranking, and results in 2023
LLLLLWLWLL Currently ranked no.98, Dominic has managed to achieve a composed 2-0 record in 2023. Dominic is currently playing in Brisbane where he overcame the world no.272 James McCabe 2-6 7-64 6-4 and the world no.135 Giulio Zeppieri 3-6 6-4 6-4.
Dominic Thiem will face the world no.670 Rafael Nadal in the 1st round. The head to head is 9-6 for Nadal.
Thiem won 17 titles in his career: 4 on hard courts, 10 on clay courts, 2 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem clashed against each other 15 times. Their current head to head is 9-6 for Nadal. The last time they played each other, Dominic Thiem won 7-6(7) 7-6(4) in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2020.
Here the video highlights.
