Rafael Nadal returns to tennis in January without expectations

• Rafael Nadal returns to tennis in the ATP 250 event in Brisbane
• He does not expect to win
• He is happy that he is set to return to the court

Rafael Nadal returns to tennis in the ATP 250 event in Brisbane next year ahead of the Australian Open.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been missing in action since the 2023 Australian Open after suffering a left hip injury.

He lost to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round bidding goodbye his ambition to defend his 2022 Australian Open victory.

Rafael Nadal Returns to Tennis

Nadal put his injury behind him, putting in a lot of work over the preceding few months to prepare for his eagerly anticipated return. He missed the French Open for the first time in 2023 following his knee surgery despite win 14 slams at Roland Garros. They are more than half of his total Grand Slam victories – 22.

He fell to 240th in the world rankings during this absence on the court but he will benefit from a protected rating for the forthcoming 2024 Grand Slam.

Knowing his position and what he will face in the first few months, the Spaniard has no expectations of himself.

Rafael Nadal. Photo/ HOLA

“It’s been a long time, and I hope to feel those nerves, illusions, fears and doubts again. I expect nothing from myself, and it’s the truth. My career is in a different place than before, and I’m in a position to only ask a little from myself,” he told Tennis World USA.

Despite his ranking, he could play against opponents in the top 10 from the first two rounds in Melbourne and Brisbane.

Since hasn’t participated in a competitive match in almost a year, he is aware there is no amount of practice that could make up for that.

Despite this, 22 Grand Slams, he is prepared for another challenge, keen to go to the pinnacle of competition and call it a day. Nadal who is plagued by injuries, won two Major titles in the first half of 2022 but injuries slowed him down.

Rafael Nadal Injuries

He did, however, experience an abdominal injury at Wimbledon, making it to the semifinals before retiring ahead of the match against Nick Kyrgios.

Since August 2022, Nadal has participated in just 13 games and won five of them. The Spaniard took a few hits, falling out of the top 600 after more than twenty years!

Rafa was unable to recover in the latter half of 2022; he went to Australia without any type of support or assurance, but he still attempted.

The Spaniard went into the Australian Open as the defending champion with little chance of winning after losing both of his United Cup matches.

Before suffering a serious hip injury against Mackenzie McDonald in Melbourne, he had a successful start against Jack Draper.

In June, Nadal had arthroscopic surgery to treat a Grade 2 iliopsoas, which prevented him from playing for the remainder of the season and put his future in jeopardy.

Rafael Nadal at Real Madrid. Photo/Sporting News

Before beginning the preparations for his comeback, he travelled with his family and friends and relished his first carefree summer without tennis in decades.

To prolong his tennis career, he improved both on and off the court, aiming to be ready for the start of 2024.

The Spaniard planned his much-anticipated return to Brisbane, where he would compete in the ATP 250 event before the Australian Open, following several fruitful months of preparation.

Nadal’s confidence will take some time to return, but if his body can withstand the effort, by springtime everything should be alright.

He said that he has been cagey with information since his surgery but he is ready to compete again.

“After missing a year and undergoing a hip injury, I have been afraid to announce things. It’s not the hip that worries me the most but everything else. I’m ready to compete again, hoping everything will go well and allow me to enjoy on the court,” he stated.