By: Justin Gincauskas
If Tuesday’s match is any indication of what we will get from Rafael Nadal during his comeback season, tennis fans will certainly be in for a treat. The 22-time Grand Slam champion defeated 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-1 in his debut singles match at the Brisbane International.
Nadal’s first singles match of 2024 comes after missing almost a year with a hip injury. The 37-year-old looked very good in his opening match, proving he still has some life left on the ATP Tour. Nadal has been contemplating retirement and does not know yet if 2024 will be his last season.
Nadal did not face a break point in the entire match. He won 90% of his first serve points and 80% of his second serve points. Nadal broke Thiem’s serve three times, converting on 50% of his break point opportunities.
“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career,” said Nadal after the match. “I had the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play at a very positive level on the first day is something that makes us feel proud – my team and family who have been there every day in the last year.”
Videos have circulated of Nadal hard at work in the last couple of months to get back in shape for the 2024 season. After his performance on Tuesday, it looks like his training has paid off, as he had very little rust to get rid of. Winning his first match was an important first step, as now it allows Nadal to get more match play in preparation for the Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal took to Instagram later in the day to write an emotional message about his comeback. In the post, he wrote about what he has overcome to return and how much it means to him.
“Very emotional day for me,” Nadal wrote. “As you all know it wasn’t just another match… I am very happy to have had the chance to feel the competition. There’s been a lot of effort and work to come back. Anything could have happened in a day like today after such a long time without playing a professional tennis match. I am happy with the way it all went.”
“Nothing has changed with regards of what I have been saying lately: This is one step and still there is a long way to go. The first match in almost a year that went well quite honestly, but it’s only a match. Important that I am healthy and stayed healthy throughout the match. And my goal is to keep enjoying!”
It will be hard not to expect big things from Nadal in 2024. However, he is coming off of a long layoff and is not getting any younger. Whether he will be a contender at the Grand Slams again is unknown at the moment, but just watching him stay healthy and compete is all tennis fans can ask for at this point.
Nadal will be back in action for his second round match on Thursday when he takes on Australian Jason Kubler.
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