Rafael Nadal is intensively preparing for his upcoming appearance at the Qatar Open in Doha, marking his return to the tournament for the first time since 2016. The Spaniard, who played his last tournament at the 2023 Australian Open, made his comeback at the Brisbane International, relying on a protected ranking. He showcased his prowess by securing victories over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler before succumbing to Jordan Thompson in a hard-fought match, where he also sustained a micro tear in his hip, sidelining him from the Australian Open.
Now focused on the Middle-Eastern swing, Nadal has been diligently training at his academy in Manacor. A recent Instagram post shared glimpses of his rigorous workout regimen, indicating his determination to perform at his peak in Doha.
Nadal’s history at the Qatar Open is notable. In 2016, seeded second, he reached the final but was convincingly defeated by Novak Djokovic. However, his triumph at the tournament came in 2014, where he clinched the title after a tough battle with Gael Monfils in the final.
This year, Nadal will face formidable opponents such as Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, the top two seeds, along with other talented players like Karen Khachanov, Ugo Humbert, Alexander Bublik, and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Following his stint in Doha, Nadal is slated to compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, relying once again on his protected ranking. His last appearance at the Masters 1000 event was in 2022, where he reached the final but fell short against Taylor Fritz.
Despite his prolonged absence from the tour in 2023, Nadal remains determined to make his mark on the ATP circuit. Currently ranked 647th, he aims to climb back up the rankings ladder with strong performances in the upcoming tournaments.