Renowned tennis legend Rafael Nadal is poised to make his highly anticipated comeback to professional tennis in January after a year-long hiatus due to a hip injury. The 22-time grand slam champion’s last appearance was at the Australian Open in January, where he unfortunately exited in the second round following a hip injury sustained during a match against Mackenzie McDonald.
Nadal took to the social media platform X to announce his return, revealing that he will be making his comeback during the first week of January at the Brisbane International. “After a year away from competition, it’s time to come back. It will be in Brisbane, the first week of January. I’ll see you there,” Nadal stated in the video.
Initially expected to require a six to eight-week layoff, the hip injury evolved into a more serious issue, leading to Nadal’s withdrawal from the French Open, a tournament he has won 14 times. Subsequently, the tennis star underwent arthroscopic surgery, with no definite timeline for a return to professional tennis.
Nadal’s injury woes have been a recurring theme throughout his illustrious career. During periods of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, his chronic foot injury resurfaced, posing challenges to maintaining his fitness over extended periods. Both mentally and physically, these injuries have also taken a toll on Nadal’s overall well-being, leading him to hint in May that 2024 could potentially mark his final year on the tour. “My idea, my motivation is to try to say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important for me in my career and just enjoy being competitive and being on court, which today is not possible,” Nadal shared.
In a more recent update, however, Nadal expressed uncertainty about his plans for the 2024 season, emphasizing his desire to regain his competitive edge. While acknowledging the unlikelihood of claiming another major title at this stage, the 37-year-old tennis icon remained open to the possibility of unforeseen developments. “I said that 2024 is likely to be my last year and I stand by that. But I cannot confirm it 100%. Even I don’t know,” Nadal admitted.
As Nadal prepares for his impending return, the tennis community eagerly awaits to witness the level of play he will bring to the court and how his body will hold up against the rigours of professional tennis once again. Despite the uncertainties surrounding his future in the sport, the prospect of a grand exit at the Paris Olympics at Roland Garros, where he has previously secured two Olympic gold medals, remains viable. Given Nadal’s remarkable career, the possibility of a few more awe-inspiring feats from the legendary player cannot be discounted.