22 Grand Slam titles, 14 coronations at Roland Garros, 36 victories in the final of a Masters 1000 (the most prestigious tournaments behind those of the Grand Slam)... easy to guess who it is. After being kept away from the courts since the beginning of January and falling to an anonymous 663rd place in the ATP rankings, Rafael Nadal announced his big return to the courts.
Via a video posted on his social networks, the former world number one expressed his determination to return to competition after recovering from yet another injury, this time to the hip: “I think I don't deserve to end like this. I think I've worked hard enough all my sporting life so that my end won't be at a press conference. I will work hard to finish my career in the right way.”
The announcement that all tennis and Nadal lovers were waiting for finally came: “After a year away from competition, it is time to come back. It will be in Brisbane the first week of January. I’ll see you there.” A real challenge for the 37-year-old who no longer appeared with racket in hand in January 2023 and a second round of the Australian Open lost against Mackenzie McDonald (6-4, 6-4, 7-5). The Brisbane tournament will be an opportunity for him to prepare before the Australian Open, the second half of January (January 14 to 28).