Rafael Nadal’s anticipated 2024 comeback encountered an early setback when the Spaniard suffered a micro muscle tear during the Brisbane International in January, marking his return to the court after an extended hiatus.
The former world no. 1 is poised to make a comeback at the ATP 250 event in Doha in late February. Despite the challenges, the 37-year-old shared a promising update with fans through a video on social media, showcasing his energetic and enthusiastic practice sessions, complete with powerful forehands and backhands.
Nadal’s journey to this point has been marked by a year-long absence from competitive play before the Brisbane International. Initially expected to contend for the Australian Open title, his comeback in Brisbane included two wins, followed by an unfortunate injury and defeat against Jordan Thompson. Notably, Nadal emphasized that the new injury was not in the same location as his previous setback.
As 2024 unfolds, speculation arises about it potentially being Nadal’s swansong year in professional tennis. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter) in December, the tennis legend acknowledged the likelihood of it being his final year, expressing uncertainty about its duration. Nadal stated, “It is a reality, there are many chances that it will be my last year without any doubt. There are chances that it may only be half a year, there are possibilities it may be a full year, that we may not be able to reach all that.. these are things right now I do not have the capacity to be able to answer, this is the truth.”
Despite missing the Australian Open, Nadal still has the opportunity to compete for the remaining Grand Slam titles in 2024 – Wimbledon, French Open, and US Open. With Wimbledon scheduled to begin on July 1, the French Open on May 26, and the US Open on August 26, Nadal aims to make a mark in these prestigious tournaments.