Amid fans’ fervent expectation, Rafael Nadal is operating in overdrive as he looks to fast track his recovery process from his hip injury in order to stage a comeback next season. The 37-year-old underwent surgery in June to correct his impaired psoas muscle tissue.
The 22-time grand slam champion started expediting his recuperation process through intense workouts in the gym, regular physiotherapy and in a recent instance, an outdoor swimming session. Several people in the tennis circles have taken notice and offered their opinion on the Spaniard’s imminent comeback next season including Boris Becker.
Boris Becker expresses confidence in Nadal’s return to Grand Slam glory
Ever since Rafael Nadal sustained his him injury in the 2023 Australian Open, he subsequently withdrew from major tournaments.
Recently Boris Becker weighed in on El Nino’s return to the tennis court in an interview with Eurosport, where the two-time Australian Open champion opined that the Mallorcan would stage a comeback only if he foresaw a certain chance of winning silverware.
“Nadal is a role model for everyone. Millions of fans around the world want to see him back on the tennis court and not in the press conference, where he declares that he may not be able to play again.”, Becker said on Eurosport Germany’s podcast Das Gelbe vom Ball.
“I also believe that he would never come back if he doesn’t see a chance for himself. So, he’s not coming back to play the first or second round, but to win tournaments.”
“His ultimate goal will always be Paris, will possibly be the [2024] Olympics in Paris, which will be played on clay at Roland Garros. But for that he needs the legendary match practice, and he can only get that at tournaments.”, he added.
“So it’s hard to get started. He’ll get a bit of a kicking at first, but then we’ll go into February – if he stays healthy – and March and April, when it’s played on clay. Then he’ll have had his ten, 15 matches – and I would never bet against Rafael Nadal on clay.”, Boris concluded.
Rafael Nadal is no stranger to comebacks, having experienced it numerous times on the tennis courts. His 2022 Australian Open victory against Daniil Medvedev is a prime example of the Spaniard’s never-say-die attitude. Nadal had fought back from two sets down to win a thriller in Melbourne.
Toni Nadal teases Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open return
Toni Nadal and Rafael Nadal worked together from the Spaniard’s early childhood. The burly uncle of Rafael helped mould Nadal into the champion he is today. Toni worked as Nadal’s coach until 2017, when they parted ways. Toni went on to coach Felix Auger Aliassime. However, Toni still works closely with Nadal as a family member and offered hope to fans on Rafael’s recovery process and possible comeback next season.
“Rafa is well and is recovering. If all goes well, his goal is to return to the field at the next Australian Open. We will have to be very careful about his training pace and understand his condition.”, he said.
Nadal himself has talked about expediting his recovery process and bouncing back to the tennis courts, in what could very well be his last season.
“My goal and my ambition is to try and stop and give myself an opportunity to enjoy the next year and that will probably be my last year in the professional tour.”, said Nadal.
“That is my idea but I can’t say 100% it will be like this, but my idea and my motivation is to try to enjoy and say goodbye to all the tournaments that have been important for me.”
Legends have weighed in on the evergreen Spanish raging bull’s injury and potential return to the tennis court. His comeback would spark fervent support from fans amid a rivalry with a returning Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open.
How much are you looking forward to a Nadal return next January? Let us know in the comments section below.
