Nadal plays down AO hopes but vows to enjoy comeback
AAP – Rafael Nadal has attempted to play down his “impossible” Australian Open title hopes in what shapes as the first stop on his 2024 farewell world tour. But for the 37-year-old Spaniard, who is set to return at the Brisbane International after almost a year out with injury, Australia is a place where the impossible happens.
The 22-time major champion’s last match was a round-two loss at the Australian Open in January earlier this year, with Nadal eventually opting for surgery to fix his troublesome hip in June.
“It’s impossible to think about winning tournaments today,” he said when told Australian world No 40 Alexei Popyrin had tipped him to win in Brisbane. “What’s really possible is to enjoy the comeback. I don’t expect much; one year without being on the court.”
Nadal, who missed last year’s French Open after winning it for a staggering 14th time a year earlier, has said 2024 is “probably going to be my last year on the professional tour”. But he said he was encouraged by his fitness, confessing he feels “much better than what I expected a month ago”.
“I can’t have super long-term goals because I don’t see myself playing a super long time,” he said.
“I don’t know how things are going to keep going. I’m not a player who tries to predict what can happen in the short term, and it’s even tougher in the medium period of time. I need to accept the adversity and that it’s not going to be perfect, just come with the right spirit every day.”