Roland Garros, Olympic Games, Davis Cup…
These are the tournaments that Rafa Nadal prioritizes for 2024, the year in which he will return to tennis and in which he could retire
Nacho Atanes
@nacho_atanes
Sports editor and youth player for OKDIARIO. Since 2016 covering tennis information. He also has basketball, football, cycling and other content.
«We have missed you, Rafa…». Three years after his last presence and coinciding with what may be the final season of his sports career, the Count of Godó Trophy announced a few days ago that it will have the presence of Rafael Nadal among the contenders for the tournament. The Spanish tennis player does not want to miss the event in his ‘home’, the club for which he competed and in a tournament in which he has won up to 12 times, nor does the Open the Australiahis first big challenge of the year or, of course, the unusual double date with Roland Garros, Olympic Games included. These are the tournaments that Rafael Nadal It is marked in red for 2024.
At the moment, they have only been Brisbanehe Open the Australia and the Barcelona OpenBanc Sabadell – Conde de Godó Trophy, which will be held from April 13 to 21 at the RCT Barcelonathose who have confirmed the presence of Rafa Nadal on their courts, in addition to the exhibition, ‘El Slam de Netflix‘, which will measure Nadal with Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas in March, but there are other competitions that are not understood without Nadal among its registered players and who, barring surprise or injury, will have the legend of world tennis.
Path of the 38 yearswhich will be fulfilled on June 3, Rafael Nadal He is clearly facing a special season, his return after a temporary withdrawal caused by injuries, specifically a major ailment in the iliac psoas tendon, and which may also be the last in his sporting career. This is how the Balearic tennis player himself states it, without guaranteeing it in any case, who in turn is clear that if he returns to tennis it is to compete to the maximum of his possibilities and to enjoy the tournaments that he considers to be his favorites.
The tournaments that Rafa Nadal will play in 2024
First stop: Australia
We start with the first part of the calendar, the one that is assured, and that will lead to Rafael Nadal to fly to Oceania, where he will contest two appointments, relevant for different reasons. The first, more modest with regard to the entity of the tournament, is the ATP 250 de Brisbanewhich will nevertheless accumulate expectation like few other events in the year, precisely because it is the one of the Nadal’s return to tennis after the longest injury-related loss of his sporting career.
Rafael will be tested in Brisbanewhere he will play from the 31st and – maximum – until January 7, before flying to Melbourne, a place where he will close the cursed circle that opened on January 18, 2023 with his fateful injury. He Open the Australia It is the first great challenge of Nadal in 2024, and who, although probably somewhat short of form, will arrive with renewed hopes of doing a good job, always keeping in mind that his ranking will probably soon cross him with a favorite for the title.
Rafa Nadal, treated for the injury suffered at the Australian Open. (Getty)
United States and the addition of Las Vegas
For the moment, beyond the two tournaments in Australia already mentioned and the godthere is no official confirmation of Nadal’s presence in any more or of his calendar, but everything indicates that the Balearic tennis player could take a competitive break after the Australian Open, and could return directly to ATP competition in the Masters 1000 de Indian Wells. This tournament is special for Rafa, who has won it three times and where he was a finalist in 2022. He is not expected, in principle, in the Masters 1000 de Miamiwhich he has already renounced on other occasions.
Before these two appointments and his presence or resignation, where Nadal will be is in Las Vegaswhere they will play an exhibition match on March 3 against Carlos Alcarazproduced by Netflix.
Here? … Announcing The Netflix Slam ???? live at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas! Join me, @CarlosAlcarazand many more on March 3rd. #TheNetflixSlam @MGMResortsIntl @netflix pic.twitter.com/GM7xcTc8g5
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 12, 2023
The doubt along with Miamiin this part of the calendar, always with the physical condition of the Balearic player ahead, it would be the tournament ATP 500 of Acapulcoone of the favorites of Rafa, although it could fall from its planning in 2024, to focus on larger objectives. Of course, the tournament director, Álvaro Falla, already recognized a few weeks ago that the doors are open for him. “As for Rafa, if he wants to come, he will always have a space,” he assured EFE.
Spring, clay and double visit to Spain
The spring tour of clay It would be one of the central points of the 2024 season for Rafael Nadal. Without yet specifying anything about his plans for this date, the relevant quotes are, historically for Spanish, Montecarlo, Godó, Madrid y Romaand at least two of them he will contest if he is physically at the desired point.
If there is something you prioritize Nadalbeyond Roland Garros, is to play in Spain, and in Barcelona y Madrid, whenever he can, he is there to compete. The Godó, at sea level and with a central court named after him, has already announced the presence of the 12-time champion at its event, while the Mutua Madrid Open He also hopes to have Rafa in his final draw, after his absence in 2023 due to injury.
Besides, Nadal could play the Monte Carlo and Rome Masters 1000although it is possible that he will give up one of the two, with more options to play in the Foro Italico, so as not to overload his physique and reach the central event of the season at his peak.
Roland Garros, the central event of 2024
The return of Rafael Nadal to tennis in 2024but it would not be understood without its presence in Roland Garros. The Parisian tournament writes its history, recent and global, based on the successes of the tennis player who has won up to 14 times on its courts, and who returns, after a year injured, to fight again for victory in Paris. It’s not complicated, it’s very complicated to reign again, but Nadal will focus its objectives on reaching 100% Roland Garros and there, in the place where he will turn 38, everything can be put back together so that the legend can be rewritten again.
Rafa Nadal, with the Roland Garros 2022 Grand Slam title. (Getty)
Summer with Wimbledon and return to Roland Garros
Summer will come Rafael Nadal with two main objectives and with feelings already marked after having played Roland Garros. The grass of Wimbledon could see Nadal return, who knows if for the last time, although the man from Manaco is not expected to play a tournament – Halle or Queen’s – before this competition. Grand Slam.
Always willing to compete 100% and more in a place like the All England Club, Nadal Yes, he will look askance at his possibility of doing a good job in an unusual visit to the facilities of Roland Garros In the season. 2024 is the year of Olympic Games and this time they are in Paris, so Rafa will want to be at his best to compete in singles and probably also in doubles, who knows if together with Carlos Alcarazwith a delicious duo of opportunities to add another Olympic medal to his record.
US Open, ATP Finals, Copa Davis…
Think many months ahead with Rafael Nadal It is probably not the most prudent thing to do, but if we speculate about what may happen in 2024 With the Spanish player, regarding the second half of the season, three tournaments stand out that, if he is well, he will want to play to fight to the maximum. The first is the US Open, the second Grand Slam After Roland Garros he has won the most – 4 titles – and where he always feels comfortable under the warmth of the American public. The ATP Finalsthe last tournament on the ATP calendar in 2024, they would also wait for Nadal, although here with the unknown of whether Rafa will be able to get back into the top 8 of the ranking.
Lastly, the Davis cup It is a tournament marked in the sporting career of Rafael Nadal and, regardless of whether or not he retires at the end of 2024, it will possibly be the last time he plays it. It seems more complicated to do so in the group stage in September, but the finals of Málagaif Spain qualifies, they could put the icing on the cake year of Nadal and who knows if the closure of his sports career.
2023-12-26 11:43:53
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