Rafa’s return in 2024 recalls a similar situation at an unlikely venue.
Following a shocking second-round defeat at a Grand Slam tournament, Rafael Nadal returned to the ATP Tour after an extended absence, and won his first match back. That happened this year, when the Spaniard defeated Dominic Thiem in Brisbane, 7-5, 6-1, nearly 12 months after Rafa’s previous match, a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open.
It’s understandable if Nadal fans were experiencing déjà vu, for their man did something similar 11 years earlier. On February 6, 2013—11 years ago to the day—Nadal began his comeback from knee tendinitis in Vina del Mar, Chile. Having not played since a five-set, second-round loss to unheralded Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon 2012, Nadal, nor his legion of fans, knew what to expect.
Regardless, it was a big deal, with the then 11-time Grand slam champion deciding that the VTR Open, of all events, was where he’d begin his road back. Nadal had never before competed in Chile; when he arrived in the narrow South American nation, its President was there to welcome him.
“When you get a big star here—like Nadal—he’s treated like a rock star,” said tournament press officer Rafael Walker.
“For the tournament, Nadal being here is unbelievable,” said 159th-ranked Dustin Brown. “And it’s great for the players, as long as you don’t have to play Nadal.”
The honor, so to speak, went to Federico Delbonis. Like Nadal, Delbonis, preferred clay above all surfaces. Unlike Nadal, Delbonis lacked seven Roland Garros titles.
But if the 100th-ranked Rosol could beat Nadal at Wimbledon, there was at least a possibility that the 128th-ranked Delbonis could pull another massive upset at an ATP 250, if only given Rafa’s rust.
The result was a familiar one to Nadal’s supporters: a straight-set victory. Nadal concerningly dropped the first two games, but won 12 of the next 15 in a 6-3, 6-2 performance that left all 4,500 fans in attendance, and millions watching around the world, wondering what was to come.
“For me, Roland Garros (French Open) is light years away,” Nadal said afterward. “All I see is doubles tomorrow and my singles again here on Friday.”
As for those three tournaments? Nadal didn’t lose a single set in singles until the final, when he dropped two to 73rd-ranked Horacio Zeballos in a 6-7 (2), 7-6 (6), 6-4 defeat. He also lost the doubles final with Argentine partner Juan Monaco.
But, as is often the case on clay, Nadal had the last laugh: he won Roland Garros for the eighth time.
From Vina del Mar, to victory in Paris. Let’s hope the next stage of Rafa’s latest comeback—which resumes later this month in Doha—yields more success.
