Rafael Nadal has trained at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane with Andy Murray. One more test for his official return to tennis, after practically a blank year, a long and complex injury to the iliac psoas in his left leg that emerged at the 2023 Australian Open and was about to condemn him to an abrupt retirement. . The visit to the operating room and his inexhaustible ability to improve gave him the opportunity to compete again.
After dinner on the eve of his official reappearance, the message from Rafael Nadal for the readers of Sports worlda newspaper for which he had posed in front of a Christmas tree before heading to the antipodes. “Happy 2024. May it be a year of calm and may we never lose hope,” wishes the Manacorí, at 37 years old facing a monumental and exciting challenge.
Eleven months without entering a tournament, but with Rafael Nadal Nothing is impossible. He has overcome a thousand and one obstacles in the form of physical ailments of all kinds, most of them originating from a degenerative injury to the scaphoid in his left foot that normally would have kept him out of elite tennis as early as 2005.
“It could be my last season. Yes, it may possibly be my last year, but I am not closing any doors,” he warned. Rafael Nadal. It is a special 2024 for the world of tennis and sports because a legend could star in a new feat and/or it could be the last opportunity to enjoy it.
Rafa Nadal, training with Andy Murray in Brisbane
Bradley Kanaris / Getty
“Being here is already a victory,” he emphasizes. Rafael Nadal. “I don’t deserve to say goodbye like this,” he had meant at a press conference in May. When she was going blind, when his hip wasn’t recovering as it should. That’s why returning is already a success in itself. His colleagues believe in his possibilities. “He is not one of those who come back just to play. I always expect him to give his best. “I am sure that he trains to win titles, to win a Grand Slam,” said the Serbian. Novak DjokovicNo. 1 worldwide.
From his current position of 672 in the world ranking, cautiously, Nadal assures that “it is impossible to think about winning tournaments today. It’s a year without being on the track, even though I feel much better than just a month ago.”
Say goodbye to 2023 by forming doubles with your friend and member of the technical team Marc Lopezwith whom he won the Olympic gold in Rio 2016. At around seven in the morning Spanish peninsular time (nine more in Brisbane) on Sunday the 31st, they will face the locals Max Purcell y Jordan Thompsona very important couple.
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One more adaptation test for Rafael Nadal, which would debut in singles on January 2 against a rival who will emerge from the qualifying phase, according to the draw of the draw. The Spaniard could be paired with anyone, given his low ATP ranking, but he avoided the seeds. If he overcomes that initial round, he would meet the best of the duel between the Russian Aslan Karatsevseeded eighth, and the Australian Jason Kubler.
The Bulgarian goes on the lower part Grigor Dimitrov. At the top, the Danish Holger Rune and the American Ben Shelton.
Rafa Nadal, message to Mundo Deportivo readers for 2024
MD
2024 arrives, the year of Rafael Nadal. The count of Grand Slam titles began in 2005. There are 22 on his record. From that kid with wild hair, capri pants and a sleeveless shirt to an experienced champion whom his wife watches working from the stands, Mery Perellóand his son Rafaelwho at one year old already drags one of his father’s rackets.
Mery Perelló and little Rafael, in the Brisbane stands watching Rafa Nadal’s training
DARREN ENGLAND / EFE
Nadal He longs for calm and hope for everyone in 2024. He will do his part. He will try his best sportingly, with Roland Garros at the center of operations, for its Grand Slam and as the venue for the Olympic Games. Always with his family and his team very close to him. He likes to feel covered.
Carlos Moyà and Rafa Nadal, during training in Brisbane
DARREN ENGLAND / EFE
2023-12-31 06:00:00
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