“Rafa is going to return to Australia at the beginning of the year. It is what I hope, trust and desire.” Not just anyone said it this Tuesday. This was stated in Mallorca by his uncle Toni, who although he is no longer part of the Balearic tennis player’s coaching staff, knows first-hand the evolution of his long recovery. Toni Nadal’s words connect with others that he spoke a few days ago, also along the same lines of optimism. He is following his training and sees him more and more prepared to return.
Meanwhile, the Manacor native has increased the volume and intensity of his training in the last two weeks since November is a key month to know if he can tolerate a greater load and thus aspire to return in January at the Australian Open. When the director of the Melbourne tournament, Craig Tiley, declared in October that they had Nadal, the player was grateful for the trust but was cautious. Today, the Majorcan will travel to Barcelona to visit the Tenis Teknon clinic. There he will share the event with his trusted doctor, Dr. Ángel Ruiz Cotorro, and it is expected that she will shed light on his current physical condition and on his real possibilities of playing in Australia.
Nadal has not played a match since he was injured in the second round of the Australian tournament against the American Mackenzie McDonald. He suffered a level 2 injury to his iliopsoas, which led him to stop indefinitely after not recovering in time for Roland Garros and to undergo surgery, in addition to rethinking his future. He then announced that, barring drastic changes, 2024 will be his last year on the professional circuit. A season that he wants to start by returning to the place of his last meeting.
