After claiming that 2024 will be his last season on the ATP Tour, Rafael Nadal is set to make his return to tennis. Interestingly, the 22-time grand slam champion will return to the men’s circuit after exactly a year. Nadal had suffered a hip injury during his second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open. The injury had forced the 14-time French Open winner to miss the whole 2023 season and ultimately announce his retirement from tennis after the following year.
Now, as per Cadena SER, the former world No. 1 will return to action Down Under for one last time to start the final season on the tour. Before Nadal travels to Australia, he’ll travel to Rafa Nadal Academy Kuwait and increase his training intensity. After Christmas, the southpaw will travel to Australia to take part in an ATP 250 to test his level. Then, after rest and recovery, Nadal will play the first slam of the season for the last time.
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Rafael Nadal hints at his return to action
A couple of weeks ago, Nadal said that he was hopeful to make a return and would share some positive news with his fans soon.
“I sincerely believe that I will return to play.”
“I can’t say at what level I’ll be able to return, but I’ve never lost the desire to play, and now it seems that things are going in the right direction. I’m not ready to say whether it will be in one place or another, but I’m happy with how things are going.”
Nadal also confirmed that he would soon be giving more concrete details, adding: “A few weeks ago, I wasn’t in a position to say if I could come back, but the steps forward have been positive. I hope to be able to say something more concrete in the next few weeks, he said.
