Thousands of fans surrounded Rafael Nadal at a promotional event for the Brisbane tournament in the city centre, in which the Spanish player, back in competition for the first time in eleven months, declared that he felt “much better” than what he imagined just a month ago and that having returned to action “is already a victory.”

“I feel good. I can’t complain. I feel much better than I expected a month ago,” he said, in a conversation in which his words were received with shouts of enthusiasm by his followers.

Nadal began training this Thursday in Brisbane to compete in the ATP 250 with which he will end his long recovery from a left hip injury.

“Of course, when you’re not on the track, you miss some things,” he said, “At the end of the day, this is something I’ve done for most of my life. So, when you can’t compete, of course you miss “You miss the competition, you miss the fans, you miss playing in the best stadiums, going out and seeing the court full.”

“What I missed most was probably the feeling of being ready to compete, that you feel ready to enjoy and to go for it,” added the winner of 22 Grand Slams.

Nadal pointed out that for him now “it is impossible to think about winning tournaments.” “But what is possible is to try to enjoy returning to the fields. I don’t expect much. Honestly, the only thing I hope for is to go out on the field, feel competitive and give my best,” he commented.

“It’s going to be a tough process at first. In the end, it’s a year without being on the tennis court and I’ve only been practicing for the last month at a very good intensity. I’m not saying anything is impossible, but just being here is already a victory,” he said.

Nadal participates in the tournament thanks to an invitation. The former world number one spent a long time signing autographs and thanked the public for their affection.

“In times when things are not going well, of course people’s support helps us move forward,” he said. “”I feel very lucky to have received great support everywhere and Australia has always been a very special place for me. I have spent unforgettable moments here.”