Rafael Nadal will finally make his long-awaited return at the Brisbane International before intending to play the Australian Open. After almost a year on the sidelines, the Spaniard has been trying to tame expectations for his comeback. But former pro Sebastien Grosjean believes the 22-time Major winner could follow in Roger Federer’s footsteps with instant success, spelling trouble for current big contenders like Novak Djokovic.
Nadal is making a comeback at the start of 2024, almost 12 months after he picked up a left psoas injury in Melbourne that ended his season. It’s his longest break from competition and has left the 37-year-old apprehensive about what he can achieve when he gets back on tour.
Former world No 4 Grosjean is more optimistic about Nadal’s chances, however, explaining that champions are often able to find their rhythm when they return from long layoffs. “I’m a fan of Rafa, I love the champion and the man, so I’m delighted, it’s great that he’s coming back. It’s a good sign, it’s good. I can’t wait to see him again,” he told L’Equipe.
“We’ll see how he recovers, we’ll see him train. If he announced his return for Brisbane and Melbourne, it is because, on a physical level, he is there.” Grosjean also cited Federer’s comeback in 2017.
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The Swiss star ended his 2016 season in July with a knee injury. He then won the Australian Open when he returned from a six-month hiatus, marking his first Grand Slam title in almost five years. It was just the start of a dominant year, which also saw Federer win Wimbledon and five other titles, going 54-5 in matches throughout 2017.
The Frenchman added: “These champions, once they return to competition, they find the rhythm. Federer did it after Wimbledon [in 2016] – the [knee] operation, six months of absence and, behind that, he won the Australian Open and Wimbledon [in 2017].”
It will be bad news for the likes of Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz if Nadal can get into that groove when he returns. The pair are arguably the favourites for any Grand Slam they enter at the moment but the 37-year-old could spoil the party with a heroic comeback story.
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The Spaniard has already defied the odds in Australia and could well do so again. He had to shut down his 2021 season in the summer with a foot injury, having a procedure that left him on crutches. But he returned Down Under to start 2022 and went undefeated, winning the Melbourne ATP 250 and his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
It will be a much harder feat this time around, given that Nadal is now in his late thirties and has spent a whole year away from competition. It’s unchartered territory for the 92-time title winner, who took to Instagram to share his lack of expectations. “We’ve maintained the work spirit and hope and I think I am ready,” he said.
“I don’t know at what level, I don’t know what to expect, I have no idea, but I don’t care right now. I’m just happy to be back and with great excitement to make the effort that is necessary to have fun and I believe that I will be competitive.”
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