Picture Credit: Twitter
Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion from Spain, spoke at length about his impending return to the professional tennis circuit at the start of the 2024 season in Brisbane after a year’s absence. The 37-year-old, who had undergone surgery for his injury in the summer, admitted that what worries him about the return is not the hip but everything else.
Just a few days ago, Rafael Nadal announced his return to the sport with an emotional video post on social media, which generated a lot of attention worldwide. He said, “After one year outside of the tour, I think it's the right moment to be back. So I feel ready to announce that I will be back in Brisbane the first week of the season.”
Marca, the Spanish national daily sport website, reported a video of Rafael Nadal, in which opened up about what worries him regarding his tennis return in his native language. The former World No. 1 player was quoted as saying in English, “I am and have been afraid to announce things because in the end it is a year without competing and it is a hip operation, but what worries me the most is not the hip but everything else. I think I am prepared and I trust and I hope that the things go well and that it gives me the opportunity to enjoy myself on the court again.”
I have to accept that things are going to be very difficult at the beginning: Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal remarked that his return is happening after a long time, which is why he hopes to feel the nerves while not expecting anything out of himself. He said, “In the end, it is a long time. I hope to feel those nerves again, that excitement, those fears, those doubts... I hope of myself not to expect anything. I hope to have the ability to not demand of myself what I have demanded of myself throughout my career.”
“I am in a different time, a situation and unexplored terrain. All my life I have pushed myself to the limit and I hope I am able to not do that. I have to accept that things are going to be very difficult at the beginning. I have to give myself the necessary time and forgiving myself that things go wrong at the beginning, which is a very big possibility. But knowing that there may be a not-too-distant future in which things can change if I maintain the enthusiasm, the spirit of work and the physique answers me," he added.
