The Spaniard’s return will take place in Brisbane, a tournament preceding the Australian Open. This will end a period of more than 300 days without an official match.
Rafael Nadal will return to the courts in Brisbane. The summer ATP tournament, which serves as a preview for the Australian Open, will be the place where the Spaniard will put an end to the odyssey that left him off the circuit for an entire year. An expected return which generated great anxiety, both on the part of the public and the player.
This is why the man from Manacor is honest. In a video uploaded to his social media, the 22-time Grand Slam champion gave a small update on his personal moment, commenting on how he handled the recovery process and his subsequent announcement.
“I have and I was afraid to announce things because in the end it’s a year without competition and it’s a hip operation, but what worries me the most is not the hip but everything else . “I think I am prepared and confident and I hope things go well and that it gives me the opportunity to enjoy the pitch again,” commented the Spaniard, who has not played since January 2023 , during his second round match at the Australian. Open He suffered an injury that kept him out of action for the entire season.
In fact, this period off the field is the longest break in the European’s career, which, on his debut in Brisbane, will end a cycle of 347 days without competition. One of his longest absences was the one he had between Wimbledon 2012 and Viña del Mar 2013 (223 days) in addition to that suffered between Acapulco and Rome 2020 (199).
“In the end, it’s long. I hope to feel those nerves again, that excitement, those fears, those doubts… I hope I’m not expecting anything. I hope I have the ability to not demand of myself what I have demanded of myself throughout my career. . “I am in a different time, situation and uncharted territory,” he said in the audiovisual recording.
In fact, in relation to this same subject, he proposed another reflection: “Throughout my life I’ve pushed myself to the limit and I hope I don’t . “I have to accept that things are going to be very difficult at first.”
Finally, he confessed what his mentality will be for this return, which will take place in the first week of January, just when the 2024 season begins its calendar. “I need to give myself time and forgive myself if things go wrong at first, which is a very big possibility. But knowing that there may be a not too distant future in which things can change if I keep the enthusiasm, the work spirit and the physique that responds to me,” he explained.
The statements and times supported by Nadal suggest that the mentality for the next course will not be one of farewell, but rather of return. He wants to come back, but for that he will need games and experiences. Everything will start in Brisbane and if health is good it will continue in Melbourne with the Australian Open. The rest of the schedule will be unknown. Acapulco and Indian Wells? Wait for the European clay court tour? These are doubts that will be dispelled in the months to come.
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Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
