Rafael Nadal on gruelling recovery ahead of Brisbane Open comeback - ‘Moments where it seemed impossible’

ByJames Hilsum

Published 06/12/2023 at 15:26 GMT

Rafael Nadal spoke in detail about the long road back to competing on the court again, as he prepares for a return to action at the Brisbane Open. The 37-year-old released a second video on social media to talk about his experiences, and admits he does not know whether or not he can compete at the highest level. A positive return in Brisbane could see Nadal compete at the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal admitted that there were "moments where it seemed impossible" that his comeback would come.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will compete at the Brisbane Open in January, in what will be his first match back on the court since a second-round defeat to Mackenzie Arnold in this year’s Australian Open.

Nadal has since sought to quell the excitement surrounding his return, and admits it will take time to regain his confidence in the first of two videos released the Spaniard’s social media channels.

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He released another on Wednesday, reflecting more on the journey to get to this point after undergoing surgery to treat a long-term hip problem.

He said: “It's been a long year in which I've gone through many phases, from trying to get back to compete at the clay season, week after week disappointment after disappointment.

“Then I had to decide to stop and say 'enough' and look for a definite solution, which was surgery.

“Since then, everything has been a new horizon, a difficult path, but always with the hope of coming back.

“Of course, there were moments where it seemed impossible that this moment would come, but we've maintained the work, spirit and hope and I think I am ready."

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The 37-year-old added: “I have gone through many phases, but I today I think it's time; I'm coming back in a tournament that I've played in the past, that I'm familiar with, a 250 tournament.

“I know it's a difficult tournament, but I hope to be ready to compete, I don't aspire to anything else.”

Nadal's impact on this return has been questioned by the likes of legendary coach Rick Macci, who feels it may be too much to expect the Spaniard to compete for another Grand Slam.

“I wish Rafa all the best, but he’s not at the exact same level he was before so I don’t think he’s a contender to win a Slam," he told Tennis Infinity.

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"I think he can be competitive and I think he’s a rough out for anybody on clay, but it depends on his health.”

The Brisbane Open runs between December 31 and January 7, before the Australian Open gets underway in Melbourne on January 14.

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