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22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal will face Dominic Thiem in his first singles match after returning from injury at Brisbane International 2024. Nadal has been out of action since January 2023's Australian Open since injuring his hip in the second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald.
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Rafa hereafter underwent hip surgery and faced numerous setbacks as he completed rehabilitation. The Spaniard announced his return in Brisbane while stating 2024 could be his final year on Tour. Returning to action, Nadal will take on Austria's Dominic Thiem on January 2 at the Queensland Tennis Centre.
It will be the pair's head-to-head match with Nadal leading their series 9-6. But in the duo's last encounter, Thiem registered a win in two tie-breaks at the 2020 Nitto ATP Finals. Ahead of the tournament, Nadal and Thiem practised together earlier in the week.
Talking about his return to tennis, Rafael Nadal spoke about how he wants to take this process step by step as it will be tough to come back. Speaking at a press event in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall, Nadal said, “I am feeling good. I can't complain. I’m feeling much better today than what I expected a month ago. For me, it's impossible to think about winning tournaments.”
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“But what's really possible, is to try to enjoy the comeback to the courts. I don't expect much. Honestly, the only thing that I expect is to be able to go on court, to feel competitive and to give my best. It’s going to be a tough process at the beginning. At the end, it’s one year without being on the tennis court and I just have been practising for the last month in a very good intensity. I don't say that nothing is impossible, but just to be here is a victory,” he continued.
