By John Ensor • Published: 01 Dec 2023 • 15:12
Rafa Nadal. Credit: RafaNadal/Facebook.com
FANS of Rafael Nadal won’t have to wait for too long to see him in action as the Spanish tennis star gears up for his comeback.
On Friday, December 1, Rafa Nadal took to the social media platform Twitter/X to announce his return to professional competition: ‘Hello everyone, after a year out of competition, the time has come to return. It will be in Brisbane and it will be in the first week of January. I’ll see you there.’
He revealed that his return would take place in Brisbane, starting December 31 and running until January 7. The event marks his first official match after a year out of competition due to injury, writes Marca.
Following a hip surgery on June 2, just a day before his 37th birthday, Nadal has been absent from the professional scene. The surgery coincided with the Roland Garros tournament, a contest he has dominated 14 times.
Since October last year, Nadal has been in regular training, preparing for his return. His announcement ends months of speculation about his comeback.
Nadal’s participation in the upcoming Australian Open, scheduled from January 14 to 28, 2024, is also confirmed. This major event will be a critical test for Nadal, who currently ranks 663 in the ATP.
This ranking means he won’t be among the 32 seeds, potentially setting up an early clash with long-time rival Novak Djokovic. Djokovic himself has expressed excitement about Nadal’s return, hinting at the possibility of another epic encounter between the two.
Nadal’s schedule also highlights the French Open and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, hosted at Roland Garros from July 27 to August 4. These events remain significant goals for the 22-time major champion.
Meanwhile, the Brisbane tournament, returning after a hiatus since 2019, will see the participation of top players like Holger Rune, Grigor Dimitrov, and Andy Murray.
Rafael Nadal’s return to the tennis courts is a highly anticipated event for fans and fellow players alike. His journey to recovery and the challenges that lie ahead in the upcoming tournaments should prove to be a highlight for all tennis fans.
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Originally from Doncaster, Yorkshire, John now lives in Galicia, Northern Spain with his wife Nina. He is passionate about news, music, cycling and animals.
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