Rafael Nadal’s triumph over Novak Djokovic in the 2022 French Open quarterfinals, leading to his Paris victory, underscores his formidable presence in tennis.
Novak Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked player, anticipates a strong showing from Nadal at the upcoming Australian Open, despite Nadal’s recent injury hiatus.
At 37, Nadal, with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, is gearing up for a return in Brisbane this weekend, setting the stage for the year’s first major tennis event.
Nadal’s previous outing was a second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald at last year’s Australian Open in January.
The 2024 Australian Open is set to commence on January 14 in Melbourne.
Djokovic, aged 36 and holding 24 Grand Slam titles after his 2023 triple win, expects Nadal’s best performance. “We’ve both been written off before, but we’ve consistently proven them wrong,” he said.
Djokovic emphasized Nadal’s ambition and legendary status, believing his preparation aims at Grand Slam victories.
Nadal, potentially in his final tour season in 2024, has fallen to 670th in the world rankings post-surgery. He has previous Australian Open victories in 2009 and 2022 and an unmatched 14 French Open titles.
Carlos Alcaraz, world number two, after a recent exhibition match with Djokovic in Riyadh, voiced confidence in Nadal’s return, citing practice session observations and feedback from fellow players about Nadal’s form.
Alcaraz, 20, expects Nadal to achieve remarkable feats this year.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Australian Open Nadal Return
When is Rafael Nadal planning to return to tennis?
Rafael Nadal is set to make his comeback in Brisbane this weekend, ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 14, 2024.
What was Nadal’s last match before his injury?
Nadal’s last match before his injury was a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in January.
How many Grand Slam titles does Novak Djokovic have?
As of 2023, Novak Djokovic has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles.
What are Nadal’s notable achievements in the Australian Open?
Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open in 2009 and 2022 and is also a record 14-time champion at the French Open.
Is 2024 likely to be Nadal’s final season on tour?
Yes, 2024 is likely to be Rafael Nadal’s final season on tour, following his recovery from a hip surgery and a drop to 670th in the world rankings.
More about Australian Open Nadal Return
- Nadal’s Comeback Journey
- Djokovic’s Insights on Nadal
- 2024 Australian Open Schedule
- Nadal’s Previous Australian Open Triumphs
- Alcaraz on Nadal’s Return to Form
4 comments
Alcaraz is only 20 and already world no. 2? Future of tennis right there! But Nadal’s the king, can’t wait to see him play again.
Djokovic saying “we’ve proved them wrong” – love the confidence, These two are just on another level!
Is it really Nadal’s last season?? gonna miss him on the court, end of an era for sure.
Nadal at 37 and still going strong, Absolute legend! But 670th in rankings, that’s rough…