- Rafael Nadal is optimistic he will play at the 2024 Australian Open
- He spoke about this following a statement by Australian Open Director Craig Tiley
- He spoke about this following a statement by Australian Open Director Craig Tiley
Rafael Nadal is optimistic he will play at the 2024 Australian Open.
He spoke about this following a statement by Australian Open Director Craig Tiley that the Spaniard confirmed his participation in the first Grand Slam of 2024.
Tiley’s pronouncement stirred excitement among tennis fans who haven’t seen much of Nadal this year.
Nadal, 37, missed most of this year’s tour after sustaining a hip flexor injury during the 2023 Australian Open, leading to a second-round defeat against Mackenzie McDonald.
The Spaniard missed the French Open for the first time in 2023 despite winning 14 of his 22 major titles at Roland Garros due to his surgery for the injury.
This period of inactivity saw him drop to 240th in the world rankings, but he will have the advantage of a protected ranking for the upcoming 2024 Grand Slam.
Craig Tiley Australian Open director. Photo by Stuff.co.nz
Following Tiley’s pronouncement, Nadal said that he is working hard to make a tennis comeback next year.
“I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open… I am practising every day and working hard to come back asap,” he tweeted on X.
Just before he responded with optimism to Tiley’s assertion of his confirmation for 2024 Australian Open, his manager Benito Perez-Barbadillo said they are still not sure of when Nadal will start playing.
“We have seen the reports and comments but as of today we wouldn’t be able to confirm…we don’t know yet. Too early to say. We have definitely not released any date because we simply don’t know it. Rafa is just starting to practice,” he said according to Tennis 365.
Nadal is intensifying his practice regimen, aiming for a comeback in 2024 after missing most of 2023 due to an injury. Social media images have confirmed his dedication to regaining his fitness ahead of a potentially final return to tennis.
He expressed his goal and ambition to reporters, stating that he wanted to give himself the opportunity to savour what might be his last year on the professional tour.
While he can’t guarantee it will happen, his motivation is to enjoy and bid farewell to the significant tournaments in his career.
He acknowledges the challenge of maintaining competitiveness and believes that continuing at his current pace may not make that possible.
Rafael Nadal Training. Photo/Tennis.com
This suggests a deep commitment to concluding his career on a high note and enjoying the sport that has defined his legacy.
In recent years, Nadal has seen success with Grand Slam wins and significant victories. However, he’s struggled with not being able to fully enjoy his daily practice and work routine.
Post-pandemic, his body has faced challenges, hindering his practice and overall enjoyment. Frequent physical issues and the need to take many days off due to pain have disrupted his training and competition.
This has prompted a desire to address these concerns and potentially make 2024 his last year in professional tennis, allowing him to conclude his career on a positive note and cherish his remaining time in the sport.
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