Nadal's big forehand—and a tiny Nike swoosh—were on display during his Australian Open debut (for those who actually witnessed it).
Craig Tiley, the head of the Australian Open, created a buzz by implying that Rafael Nadal has officially committed to participating in the initial Grand Slam of 2024. Now, the 22-time Grand Slam icon has made his inaugural public statements regarding this assertion.
The 37-year-old has not been in action since suffering a hip flexor injury during his second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald during the 2023 edition in Melbourne.
Earlier this year, Nadal announced he would miss the French Open, where he has claimed 14 of his 22 major titles, as he was undergoing surgery on the issue.
His inactivity has seen the Spaniard slide down to 240th in the world, but Nadal will be able to rely on a protected ranking for the first grand slam of the 2024 calendar.
Speaking in an interview on Australian breakfast TV programme The Today Show, Tennis Australia chief executive Tiley said: “We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back.
“He’s been off for most of the year and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about, the champion of 2022. That’s awesome.”
Tiley’s comments sparked a curious response from Nadal’s own camp, as Nadal’s manager Benito Perez-Barbadillo has issued a cautious response as he insisted that there is no clear return date for the Spaniard.
“We have seen the reports and comments but as of today we wouldn’t be able to confirm,” he said.
“Definitely we don’t know yet. Too early to say. We have definitely not released any date because we simply don’t know it. Rafa is just starting to practice.”
Nadal backed up that statement by suggesting he was grateful for the confidence vote from the Australian Open organiser, but his message on X was a clear sign that he has yet to confirm when he will return.
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Rafael Nadal has been upping his practice schedule in recent days after missing most of 2023 due to injury, with images appearing on social media confirming he is trying to get back in shape ahead of what may be his final return to tennis in 2024.
“My goal and my ambition is to try and stop and give myself an opportunity to enjoy the next year that will probably be my last year in the professional tour,” Nadal told reporters.
“That is my idea but I can’t say 100 per cent it will be like this, but my idea and my motivation is to try to enjoy and say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important for me.
“To enjoy being competitive and something that today is not possible. I believe, if I keep going now, I will not be able to make it happen.
“After a couple of years that in terms of results have been positive because I was able to win a couple of grand slams and important tournaments, the real situation is I was not able to enjoy my diary work.
“Since after the pandemic, my body was not able to do the practice or diary work in a good way so I was not able to enjoy the practice and competition because too many problems, too many times having to stop for physical conditions and too many days off not practising because of too much pain.”
Meanwhile, Australian Open chief Tiley also revealed “some of the greats” will be making their way Down Under, with former women’s singles champions Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber all lined up for returns.
“We’ll welcome them – and their families – back to Melbourne with open arms and can’t wait to see what their next chapter brings,” added Tiley.
Home favourite Nick Kyrgios, who has played only one ATP Tour match in 2023 due to injuries, has returned to training and is hopeful of being fit for Melbourne, with Tiley adding that he was “doing his utmost to get back to his best”.
