It was like Rafael Nadal never left the scene in 2023, as he returned to tennis action at the Brisbane International with a clinical 7-5 6-1 straight sets win over the former number three, Dominic Thiem. While both players would admit they were not at their prime, the two played out a sizzling match, with fans more emotionally invested in the return of two fan favourites than the result. Regardless of the warm emotions in the stands, Rafael Nadal proved that he is all business, as he bulldozed past his Austrian opposition with vintage forehands and agility unbefitting of a 37-year-old who returned from surgery.
Rafael Nadal’s Last Resurgence in Potential Final Year
Before the match against Dominic Thiem, Rafael Nadal conceded there was a high percentage that it would be his last season but left the door open to continue should his body hold up. Nevertheless, the Spaniard decided to put retirement at the back of his mind as he dominated his injury-retuning opponent.
For context, Nadal only lost six points on serve throughout the match and made little to no unforced errors in an almost perfect display against his quality opposition, who played and won against the world’s top 10. However, he had little in the tank when Nadal took the first set before steamrolling him in a relentless second set.
Speaking on Thiem, Rafael Nadal stated: “I think the last year has been a positive year for him because, after a tough time, he was able to come back to the Top 100, something that is not easy. I know Dominic has been going through hard times with injuries too, so happy to see him on the court and wish him all the very best for the season. I think he starts the year again with the ambition to make a positive year and finish the year with a much higher ranking. If he can win matches and recover the confidence in himself, I see him in a much higher ranking, honestly.”
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Hello Australia 👋🏻 Brisbane pic.twitter.com/SB9UcIVtKk
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 28, 2023
Rafael Nadal Opened Up on Emotional Return Since Injury
During his post-match interview, where the fans screamed and chanted his name, Rafael Nadal shared his emotional return from his time out. “Today, honestly, is an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career, without a doubt. To have the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd, and play I think, at a very positive level for the first day is something that makes us feel proud. For myself, all the team and my family who have been there every single day during the last year.”
Additionally, Nadal explained that he shared the same fears as everyone during his time out. “You need to recover the confidence and the movements. That takes time. After the surgery, you feel scared sometimes to do a kind of movement, and you need to recover the speed of reading the ball and automatically doing things. You need hours on the court, hours in a practice session, but at the same time, hours in professional matches. I didn’t know what could happen today. It’s a day to be happy. I am excited to have the chance to play another time.”
As for his goals in 2024, Rafael Nadal replied: “For me, the main thing is to stay healthy. I really think that I didn’t forget how to play tennis. The only thing that’s going to be difficult is to make it in a professional match and at a very high level of tennis. I missed being healthy. I missed feeling competitive and playing in front of full crowds like this. Crowds in Australia all my career have been an amazing support for me. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
“Today is honestly an 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 and 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 day for me” 😊
Rafael Nadal’s incredibly grateful to finally be back playing competitive tennis 🙌🎾#BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/0WP8HnpGOV
— Eurosport (@eurosport) January 2, 2024
Recap of Rafael Nadal’s Tumultuous 2023
The end of 2022 and the start of 2023 were not a pleasant time for Fedal fans as Roger Federer announced his retirement before an emotional parting match at the Laver Cup while Rafael Nadal, the then seeded first ranked player, crashed out of the Australian Open second round before citing injury and a lengthy sideline due to hip surgery.
Since then, the Spaniard has undergone two hip surgeries and a year of recovery as he witnesses Novak Djokovic accomplishing an unprecedented 24 Grand Slams and the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
With headlines no longer focusing on the Spaniard, some feared Rafael Nadal’s career was over in bitter circumstances. However, the Spaniard, ever the fighter, announced he would be playing in 2024 as he spent time at his academy in Kuwait to prepare for the Australian summer. Now, with his first win since injuries, Rafael Nadal would hope to lit one last fire in his potential final year.
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