Craig Tiley, director of the Australian Open, announced the other day that Rafael Nadal will return to the tennis court for the Grand Slam in Melbourne. However, the Iberian comes in with additions and announces that things are not as good as he hastened to present to Tylee.

Rafael NadalPhoto: GJL / Gtres Online / Profimedia

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Rafael Nadal cannot confirm when he will return to the court

More than a week ago, Craig Tiley gave Rafa fans important news: the Spaniard will return to the court at the 2024 Australian Open.

A few days later, Nadal went public with the news and announced that the pain persisted and that his return to the ATP could be delayed again.

Rafa played his last official match at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year, and from that moment fans hoped to see him on the field. But there were no signs of a comeback, with Nadal missing all major tournaments, including Roland Garros, which he won 14 times.

“The first realistic option for a return would be in January (not 2024) at the Australian Open. I can’t confirm anything because I don’t know if it will happen,” Rafa said when asked about returning to the tennis courts.

“Not much has changed in the last few weeks, except that I’ve been training a bit more than before,” adds Rafa.

What’s more, the former ATP leader says, “I don’t train without pain.”

“Things would have changed a lot if I wasn’t in pain. Only then will I be able to tell you the date of my return to the court, because I will be able to prepare properly,” concluded Rafa Nadal.

What you need to know about Rafael Nadal

  • He is currently ranked 243rd in the ATP rankings after a season in which he played just four matches (one win and three losses).
  • He collected in 2023 only $310,797 from tennis.
  • He climbed ATP No. 1 for the first time on August 18, 2008.
  • He has 1068 wins and 220 losses in his career.
  • He has collected $134,640,719 in tennis prize money alone and has 92 ATP titles in his career.
  • He ranks second in the hierarchy of conquered major competitions: 22 Grand Slam titles against Novak Djokovic’s 24.

Ranking of Grand Slam titles won

1. Novak Djokovic 24

2. Rafael Nadal 22

3. Roger Federer 20 / finished tennis.

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