The 2024 Australian Open will see the return of many players on tour. It was the last event where Rafael Nadal played a competitive match. The Spaniard has been resting ever since due to injury. It has been nine months since he competed on tour. Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open, has confirmed Nadal’s comeback. The Spaniard will return to the same courts after a year.
Tiley had mentioned that he was in touch with Nadal over the past few days. The former world No.1 will also get sufficient rest as the event is under the new schedule. The players will be at Melbourne for 15 days from the next season. Fans will now witness first-round matches for over three days instead of two. But they will be excited to see Nadal back in action, “23 SOON,” in reference to his number of grand slam titles.
🇦🇺 This morning, Craig Tiley, tournament director for the Australian Open, says he has spoken to Rafa, and confirmed his return to Australia in 2024:
“”We can reveal exclusively here that Rafael Nadal will be back.
He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over… pic.twitter.com/pGUhKhFDxJ
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) October 10, 2023
One fan commented about Nadal’s possible final season on tour, “This is good news for tennis fan. Likely his last Aussie Open ever.” The injury-ridden legend will hope for an inspiring comeback.
This is good news for tennis fan. Likely his last Aussie Open ever.
— frankiequigs.eth (@FrankieQuigs) October 11, 2023
The fans will be waiting to see Nadal conquer the courts at Melbourne Park. He has only missed the event twice since making his debut in 2004. Although Novak Djokovic is the defending champion, Nadal will focus on being fit and not the milestones. It has not been confirmed which warmup events he will play in Australia.
Rafael Nadal all set for 19th Australian Open appearance
The Australian Open is set to start from the 14th of January. Nadal has also played the French Open on 18 occasions, and the Australian Open can become the first major in which he has 19 appearances. The 37-year-old lost to Lleyton Hewitt in his first two visits at the opening grand slam. Hewitt took three hours and 53 minutes to beat a spirited Nadal at Melbourne in 2005.
The 2012 Australian Open final between Nadal and Djokovic remains the longest singles major final in history. Djokovic won the trophy in five hours and 53 minutes. Nadal has finished as runner-up on four occasions and has lifted the trophy twice. He has lost 16 matches at the event, and it is the only grand slam where he has lost more than 15 matches.
I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open… I am practising every day and working hard to come back asap 💪🏻😉
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 11, 2023
Nadal has won 77 matches in Australia, which is the highest for him at the majors after the French Open. He also played doubles at the Australian Open in 2004-05 and couldn’t go beyond the fourth round. With only two months to go, the 22-time grand slam winner will be in his final stages of preparation for the tour.