Nadal returns to Grand Slam in Australia

Rafael Nadal, who has been out for more than eight months, will return to Grand Slam competition in January at the Australian Open, the tournament director for the Spanish champion’s last appearance, Craig Tile said on Wednesday.

“I appreciate this confidence from the Australian Open. I’m training every day and I’m working hard to get back as quickly as possible,” Nadal responded on X (ex-Twitter) without apparently confirming his presence in Melbourne.

The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles has not played since the Australian Open last January 2023 and lost in the second round against American Mackenzie McDonald, due to a groin injury.

The 37-year-old has since undergone two surgeries and announced last month that the 2024 season will be his last.

“Our 2022 champion Rafael Nadal has been working hard all year on his comeback,” said Tiley, who expects local champion Nick Kyrgios to return from injury to his first Grand Slam of the year.

“I’ve been in touch with the Nadal team and he’s back on court. He can’t wait to get back to Melbourne,” Tiley said.

Nadal has yet to announce an official date for his return to competition.

“I said that 2024 will be my last year and I maintain it, but I can’t confirm it 100% because I don’t know,” the fourteen-time Roland-Carros winner declared in an interview with the Movistar+ channel in September. , saying he was “can’t wait to play again and compete again.”

“But the idea is not to come back to win Roland-Garros or the Australian Open. People should not be surprised, all this is far away, I know the difficulties I will face,” continued the Spaniard, referring to his age and his “physical problems”.