Rafael Nadal returns to the tennis courts after almost a year’s break and two hip surgeries.
The new tennis season is starting again after a short break. One of the most interesting things in the early season is the 37-year-old tennis legend Rafael Nadal return to the fields after almost a year’s break. Nadal is participating in the ATP tournament in Brisbane, which starts on Sunday.
Nadal last played last January at the Australian Open, where he lost in the second round. This year, the Spaniard has had two hip surgeries. He announced well in advance that the intention is to return to the field in 2024, which will probably be his last season.
It is interesting to see what kind of attack the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner will return to the courts.
– I feel good, I can’t complain. It feels much better than I expected a month ago, Nadal said in Brisbane According to the ATP website.
Nadal considers the expectations modest, at least initially.
– It is impossible to think about winning tournaments. I want to enjoy playing. I want to go on the field and do my best. The process will be difficult in the beginning. I haven’t played for a year and I’ve only been training at full strength for a month. It’s already a victory that I’m here.
Another tennis legend Novak Djokovic instead believes that Nadal is always fighting for victory when he enters the court.
– He is not someone who will only play a few matches. He wants to win tournaments, he wants to be the best. I’m sure he’s been training with the intention that he wants to win a Grand Slam, Djokovic told the BBC.
– He has been counted out many times, and so have I. But we have proved people wrong, Djokovic stated.
The 36-year-old Djokovic won three Grand Slam tournaments last season and surpassed Nadal in the number of Grand Slam tournament wins. Djokovic has 24 of them.
Also world number two Carlos Alcaraz believes that Nadal is in top form.
– I saw videos of his training, he is 100% fit. I have heard from other players who have trained with Nadal that he is getting back to his best.
One of those who trained with Nadal is Emil Ruusuvuori. The two trained together at the Nadal Academy in Mallorca before Christmas.
Rusuvuori will play next week in the Hong Kong ATP tournament, where Otto Virtanen is involved in the qualification. Harri Heliövaara start a new pair of John Peers with in doubles in Brisbane.