Novak Djokovic admires the fighting spirit of his long-term rival, compatriot Carlos Alcaraz sees him at “100 percent” again – but Rafael Nadal himself is stacking up low before his comeback.
“I don’t expect much,” said the Spanish tennis star about his goals for the ATP tournament in Brisbane, Australia: “It’s impossible to even think about winning tournaments today.” The 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner didn’t play a match for almost a whole year due to injury. Now the clay court king returns. But is it enough for the tennis throne again in what will most likely be his last season.
Thoughts of giving up
“I don’t know what will happen next,” said the 37-year-old, shrugging his shoulders. But after months of hard work in rehab and training, he can say one thing with certainty: “I feel much better today than I expected a month ago.”
At times, Nadal openly admits, he thought about giving up. “Of course I often thought that it made no sense to continue playing,” said the tennis professional, who was plagued by numerous injuries during his career: “But I don’t deserve an end like that.” He doesn’t want to announce the end of his career at a press conference, “I want to end it in my own way.” And on the pitch. To maintain this “illusion,” Nadal said, “I fought.” Also against “doubts and bad thoughts”.
The Mallorcan has won this fight for the time being. “Being here is already a victory,” said Nadal. From Sunday he will test his form at the smaller tournament in Brisbane. From January 14th he will be playing at the Australian Open, where his long suffering with a hip injury began last year.
But the big goal is Paris: first the French Open, which he has already won 14 times, then the Olympics. Both highlights will be played on Nadal’s favorite surface, clay. It would be the perfect stage for a big farewell.
Nadal announced in the summer after his hip operation that 2024 would probably be his last year as a professional. But the upcoming season is not a farewell tour, “because in the end I don’t know what can happen.” He doesn’t want to be a prisoner of his own statements. Maybe it will be a whole year, maybe more, maybe just half a year, maybe not even that. The fans should enjoy every match of the exceptional talent.
Nadal’s return is “without question great” for the tennis world, said Djokovic. The Serb stole the record of Grand Slam tournament victories from Nadal in his absence. Djokovic would like to have another match against the Spaniard before the second of the “Big Three” after Roger Federer retires. Until then, he has Nadal on his list as a potential title rival: “He’s a great fighter, someone who really never gives up.”
Alcaraz, second in the world rankings, even believes that his Spanish compatriot is already in top form again. “I’ve seen some videos of him in training. He looks 100 percent,” said the 20-year-old and predicted: “I think he’s ready for great things this year.”
Kerber and Osaka also made a comeback
German player Angelique Kerber, who is making her own comeback after an 18-month baby break at the United Cup in Sydney at the same time, sees it similarly. “As I know him, Rafa will be really well prepared and return to the tour fit,” said the former world number one of the German Press Agency: “He is always a force to be reckoned with, also because he has been there for a long time in the past break has come back successfully.”
But Brisbane will also be the scene of a second big comeback. For women, Japanese tennis icon Naomi Osaka returns to the court. The former world number 1, who has not played an official match since September 2022, is competing with an extra motivation: Osaka is also playing for her, who was born in July Daughter. “I want to show Shai that she can achieve anything.”
Two years ago, Osaka reported depression and anxiety and later took an extended break to protect her mental health. Daughter Shai could also be good for her in this regard. “Being a mother has changed my life a lot.”
