The clay court king wants to know it again after a break of almost a year. Why Rafael Nadal is reserved, but he still has big plans in what will probably be his last tennis season.
Novak Djoković admires the fighting spirit of his long-term rival, compatriot Carlos Alcaraz even sees him at “100 percent” again – but Rafael Nadal himself is incredibly low before his comeback, possibly the last for the tireless stand-up man. “I don’t expect much,” said the Spanish tennis star about his goals for the ATP tournament that begins on Sunday in Brisbane, Australia: “It’s impossible to even think about winning tournaments today.” The 22-year-old has spent almost a whole year The one-time Grand Slam tournament winner did not play a match due to injury and is now ranked 672nd in the world rankings. Now the clay court king returns. But will it be enough for the tennis throne again in what will most likely be his last season?
»Of course I often thought that there was no point in continuing to play.«
Rafael Nadal
Tennis professional
“I don’t know what will happen next,” said the 37-year-old, shrugging his shoulders. But after months of hard work in rehab and training, he can say one thing with certainty: “I feel much better today than I expected a month ago.” At times, Nadal openly admits, he had thoughts of giving up. “Of course I often thought that there was no point in continuing to play,” said the tennis professional, who was plagued by numerous injuries during his career: “But I don’t deserve an end like that.” He doesn’t want to announce the end of his career at a press conference, “I want it “finish it my way.” And on the pitch. To maintain this “illusion,” Nadal said, “I fought.” Also against “doubts and bad thoughts”.
The first victory already in the bag
The Mallorcan has won this fight for the time being. “Being here is already a victory,” said Nadal. From January 14th he will be playing at the Australian Open, where his long suffering began last year with a hip injury. But the big goal is Paris: first the French Open, which he has already won 14 times, then the Olympics. Both highlights will be played on Nadal’s favorite surface, clay. It would be the perfect stage for a big farewell.
Rafael Nadal at his last tournament to date, the Australian Open 2023. Reuters / Loren Elliott
Nadal announced in the summer after his hip operation that 2024 will probably be his last year as a professional. But the upcoming season is not a farewell tour, “because in the end I don’t know what can happen.” He doesn’t want to be a prisoner of his own statements. Maybe it will be a whole year, maybe more, maybe just half a year, maybe not even that. The fans should enjoy every match of the exceptional talent.
“Ready for great things”
Nadal’s return is “without question great” for the tennis world, said Djoković. The Serb stole the record of Grand Slam tournament victories from Nadal in his absence. Djoković would like to have another match against the Spaniard before the second of the “Big Three” after Roger Federer retires. Until then, he has Nadal on his list as a serious title rival. His foreshadowing: “He’s a great fighter, someone who really never gives up.”
The world number two, Alcaraz, even believes that his Spanish compatriot is already in top form again. “I saw some videos of him in training. “I think he’s ready for great things this year,” predicted the 20-year-old.
Nadal got the finishing touches for Brisbane on Friday during a training session with Dominic Thiem. In contrast to the Spaniard, who had a wildcard, the 30-year-old from Lower Austria had to qualify. Thiem won the opening match there on Saturday after fending off match points 2:6, 7:6 (4) and 6:4 against Australian local hero James McCabe.
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2023-12-30 15:11:13
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