Rafael Nadal has had a two-faced season. The Spanish champion left everyone speechless in the first months of 2022 proving once again that he is a living legend. The former world No. 1 has indeed won the Australian Open and Roland Garros, overtaking Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time Grand Slam tournament standings.
The 36-year-old from Manacor also showed excellent grass tennis at Wimbledon, but a torn abs kept him out of the semi-final against Nick Kyrgios.
This injury also impacted his preparation for the US Open, where he failed to advance to the round of 16. The last tournaments of 2022 did not smile on the Iberian, who left the scene prematurely both at the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 and at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Rafa, who has just completed his South American exhibition tour, will soon start preparing for the upcoming season. The Mallorcan will be called upon to defend many points in the first part of 2023.
Uncle Toni returns to the Nadal case
Toni Nadal presented this Tuesday the third edition of the Mallorca Championships, which will take place the week before Wimbledon and for which Nick Kyrgios has already been confirmed in addition to being in talks with Dominic Thiem.
But that’s not the only question Toni had to face, he who, as is logical, was asked about his nephew Rafael Nadal, about whom he commented in a statement collected by Diario de Mallorca that “the recovery of his foot thanks to the treatment after Roland Garros was decisive”, although he also lamented that “the injury to the abdomen reduced his regularity”
However, Toni believes that in 2023 the current world number two will ‘have a great year again’. Of course, he also believes there will be ‘up to 8 or 10 players fighting for the important titles. “
On Friday, Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell to Mexico City, the place where he won his first ATP 500 title in February 2005. “It will most likely be the last time I play in Mexico, Acapulco 2023 is not on my calendar and the 2024 season seems a long way off.
Now is the time to fully enjoy this moment and play in an iconic setting, with lots of people and in a country where I have always felt loved,” said the Spaniard.
“It is an unforgettable feeling to live in such an environment in Mexico, I can only thank you for the unconditional support, it is a country that has treated me like another Mexican. It is difficult for me to say goodbye,” he added.
