Rafael Nadal hasn’t played tennis since the start of the 2023 Australian Open, but the former world No. 1 made a statement that is sure to please tennis fans.

>> Rafael Nadal is open about his rivalry with Novak Djokovic and the unofficial title of GOAT

Rafael Nadal confirmed his return to the tennis court

Rafael Nadal suffered a three-set loss to Mackenzie MacDonald in the second round of the Australian Open and there has been talk since then that he could return to the court for the clay season.

The Iberian missed important competitions one after another, and the absence of Roland Garros was a strong blow for his fans.

Rafa then made a clear addition: he will not play again in the 2023 season.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley recently announced the Iberian would be in Melbourne and the former world number one made the encouraging announcement on Wednesday night.

“What’s changed from a few weeks ago or a few days ago to now is that now I know I’m going to play tennis again. I didn’t know before, but now I know for sure that I will do it, because the recovery progress is positive.

Great progress has been made recently. When I know, I’ll tell you when I’m going to play, but today I don’t know anything for sure.” Nadal said, reports Mundo Deportivo.

What you need to know about Rafael Nadal

• He is currently ranked 240th 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.