Rafael Nadal remains on course to return to action in January 2024 following his injury-disrupted 2023 campaign, but when and where will he compete next year?
Tennis legend Nadal played only four matches in 2023 as he suffered a devastating hip injury during his second-round defeat at the Australian Open back in January.
After multiple attempted comebacks ahead of the French Open, he finally accepted his fate and opted to undergo surgery in June.
Following an extensive rehabilitation period, Nadal has revealed that he is on track to return to action in early 2024 in what is set to be his final season on the ATP Tour.
But which tournaments are likely to feature on the tennis great’s 2024 tennis schedule?
Rafael Nadal’s possible 2024 tennis calendar
Brisbane International – January 1-7
The first official tournament on Nadal’s 2024 calendar will be the ATP 250 Brisbane International.
The Spaniard last competed at the event in 2017 when he reached the quarter-final, but this year’s tournament will be about match practice.
Australian Open – January 15-28
If Nadal comes through the Brisbane International unscathed, then he will be in the main draw of the 2024 Australian Open in what is likely to be his farwell to Melbourne Park.
Dubai Tennis Championships – February 26- March 3
Traditionally Nadal rests a few weeks after the season-opening Grand Slam before he gets going again in February. This year he opted to skip the 2023 Latin American sojourn and instead signed up for the Dubai Tennis Championships. However, he was of course unable to play due to his hip injury.
Nadal could feature in Dubai this year or he could decide to skip playing in February in order to focus on the Sunshine Double.
Indian Wells Masters – March 4-11
Much like the Dubai event, there are major question marks over Nadal’s participation in the Sunshine Double, especially as he will look to take it easy following such a long period out of action.
But given this might be his farewell season, the three-time Indian Wells champion could opt to play in California to say his goodbyes.
Miami Open – March 18-25
This is one of the ATP Masters events that is absent from Nadal’s title-winning CV, but playing back-to-back Masters events may be a step too far for the Spaniard.
Monte Carlo Masters – April 8-14
Nadal will no doubt use the hard-court tournaments as a build-up for his favourite part of the year, the clay-court season, and the Monte Carlo Masters is where he traditionally starts his red dirt campaign in the Principality.
The Spaniard is an 11-time Monte Carlo Masters champion, but he has missed the last two events while his last title was in 2018.
Barcelona Open – April 15-21
A fully fit Nadal will not miss the Barcelona Open as he has won the title a record 12 times.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner’s name will be first on the entry list and the Spaniards would love nothing more than a Nadal-Carlos Alcaraz match to mark the end of one era.
Madrid Open – April 22-29
Five-time Madrid Open champion has been a feature at the ATP Masters 1000 event since he made his debut and it will give him a chance to wave goodbye to fans in the Spanish capital.
Italian Open – May 6-13
The final warm-up event before the French Open although the Italian Open is hardly a warm-up event as it is considered one of the most important tournaments on the clay-court calendar.
Nadal has won the ATP Masters 1000 event 10 times.
Roland Garros – May 27-June 9
Roland Garros is Nadal’s favourite tournament and he would not miss it for the world if he is fit.
After missing this year’s title defence due to his hip injury, Nadal would love to bow out of tennis with a 15th French Open crown and you won’t bet against him.
Wimbledon – July 1-4
There have been suggestions that Nadal could decide to call it a day after the 2024 clay-court season.
The Spaniard has skipped Wimbledon on multiple occasions so it remains to be seen if he will indeed continue after the clay season and whether or not his body holds up.
Paris Olympics – July 27-August 4
If there is one reason for Nadal to continue playing after next year’s French Open then that reason is the 2024 Paris Olympics as the tournament will be staged at Roland Garros.
Spanish fans are dreaming of a Nadal-Alcaraz pairing in the doubles.
Cincinnati Open – August 12-18
Although Nadal has often preferred to play at the Canadian Open instead of in Cincinnati, he might opt for the American event this year due to scheduling issues.
However, he has played at the Cincinnati Open only once in the last six years.
US Open – August 26-September 8
This could well be Rafael Nadal’s big farewell to tennis as the US Open is the final Grand Slam event of the year.
However, the four-time US Open champion has missed three of the last four hard-court majors at Flushing Meadows due to injury.
Although there are several big events after the US Open, namely the Shanghai Masters, Paris Masters and ATP Finals, it is highly unlikely that he will play in those events.
