In the 2023 season, tennis fans have missed the great talent of Rafael Nadal, former world number one and considered by many to be on the list of the best in history. Injuries have been a stumbling block for the Spaniard and, therefore, he has not competed practically this year. However, his uncle Toni already gave clues as to which tournament would be in which he would return to the courts.
This year, Nadal added to his injury history a grade 2 discomfort in the iliopsoas of his left leg. As soon as he received that diagnosis, the Spaniard did not hesitate to call a press conference, in which he announced his withdrawal from his favorite tournament: Roland Garros. In addition, he stated that he would return soon and 2024 would be his retirement year.
From then on, Nadal has missed important tournaments such as the Rome Masters 1,000, Madrid Masters 1,000, Wimbledon, Cincinnati Masters 1,000, US Open, among others.
And in the trunk of memories of tennis lovers, the epic matches against Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic remain indelible. Now, the nostalgia is increasing, since the Swiss has already retired and the Spaniard seems to be close to that election. The only one who doesn’t seem to age is ‘Nole’, who has just won the US Open and regained number one, after snatching it from Carlos Alcaraz.
In the midst of all this panorama, Toni Nadal, uncle of the Spanish tennis player, made it clear in an interview what the current state of his nephew is and even decided to set a date and tournament for his return “Rafa is recovering, he is fine. If everything Keep going like this, your goal is to return to the courts at the next Australian Open 2024,” he said at the outset.
Rafael Nadal and Toni Nadal
Getty
Let us remember that Nadal’s words at the press conference before Roland Garros were very sincere: “My intention is to be able to play next year and be able to say goodbye to the tournaments that marked me sportingly speaking for all these years.”
In 2023, the Mallorcan barely played four games. Two in Brisbane, against Cameron Norrie and Álex de Minaur, and in the Australian Open against Jack Draper, whom he beat, and McDonald Mackenzie, who defeated him in the second round.
The truth is that at the moment everyone is waiting for Nadal’s return so that he can say goodbye on a high note and with victories.
2023-09-12 15:50:45
#tournament #Rafael #Nadal #return #tennis
