Rafael Nadal recovering well from surgery and 'wants to return for 2024 Australian Open', says uncle Toni

Updated 11/09/2023 at 18:28 GMT

Rafael Nadal has not played since the Australian Open in January, and according to his uncle Toni his next appearance could be in Melbourne. Nadal, 37, is currently recovering from surgery and looks set to miss the rest of the season, although there could reportedly be a chance he plays at the Davis Cup Finals. Toni Nadal has also praised Novak Djokovic following his US Open win.

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Rafael Nadal is recovering well from surgery and is planning to return at the 2024 Australian Open, according to his uncle Toni.

Nadal underwent surgery earlier this summer and has not played since losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January.

He has suggested 2024 will be his final year on tour, but it is not known when he will return.

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Spain's Davis Cup captain David Ferrer has hinted Nadal could play if they make the Davis Cup finals in November, or there might be a chance he prolongs his return and waits until the 2024 clay season.

Toni Nadal, who coached his nephew from when he was a junior through to 2017, has shed some light on his possible return.

“Rafa is good, recovering,” he told El Desmarque.

“If all goes well he wants to return to the court for the 2024 Australian Open.”

Nadal is a two-time champion in Melbourne and enjoyed a surprise win there in 2022 after several months out with injury.

However, Novak Djokovic will likely start as favourite this time around as he bids for a 25th Grand Slam title.

Toni Nadal called Djokovic “probably the best tennis player in history” following his US Open final victory over Daniil Medvedev.

"Djokovic is a great champion and it will be very difficult to reach him, not only for my nephew, but for anyone," he said.

"It's very difficult to determine who is the best in history…you have to opt for Djokovic because the titles support him.

“Although I think [Roger] Federer has sometimes managed to play at an even higher level, I think in the world of sport if we go by the numbers, Djokovic is without a doubt the best.”

With 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic is two ahead of Nadal in the all-time standings.

Federer finished his career on 20 Grand Slams.

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