With the new season looming on the horizon, tennis stars are gearing up for the first Grand Slam of the year. Spanish legend Rafael Nadal making a comeback after a long injury layoff is definitely one of the most anticipated moments. Nadal has always been a trendsetter, and his resilience is worthy of admiration. As he trains in Kuwait in preparation for his return, several other players have also followed in his footsteps.
Rafa has been training at his academy in the Gulf country. He teamed up with rising French star Arthur Fils, and the Spaniard showed promising signs at practice. Nadal is set to play in Brisbane, an ATP 250 event, to prepare for the Australian Open.
With the new season approaching, several other ATP and WTA stars have also begun training in the Middle East. Andy Murray and Dominic Thiem were spotted training in Dubai, as a video of them practicing together recently surfaced on social media.
🇬🇧🇦🇹 Andy Murray and Dominic Thiem practising together, getting ready for 2024 💪 pic.twitter.com/jOtWIVwLIA
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) December 12, 2023
Both Murray and Thiem will hope to play better than they did this year. They did show glimpses of their former selves throughout, though, even if the results did not show it. Thiem made it to his first ATP final since 2020 this year, and Murray also clinched two Challenger titles.
Nadal, Murray, and Thiem are not the only players amping up training in the Middle East, though. Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa have also been in Dubai for a while now. Badosa will also be making a comeback after injuries sidelined her for the last six months.
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With Rafael Nadal and others set to return, the anticipation ahead of the new season is at an all-time high. The Spaniard also has a little surprise, one that is sure to delight fans all over the world.
Rafael Nadal makes an exciting announcement
With Christmas around the corner, Rafa came bearing gifts for tennis fans. Nadal took to social media to announce that he would play against his compatriot, Carlos Alcaraz, next year.
Rafa and Alcaraz have gone head-to-head a few times in the last few years. However, this match is an exhibition game, marking Netflix’s foray into live streaming.
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This clash of the two Spaniards is being touted as the Netflix Slam. Nadal and Alcaraz will lock horns in Vegas at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 3, next year.
Rafael Nadal will be making his grand return to the courts in Brisbane in January next year. Carlos will play at the Riyadh Season Tennis Cup alongside Novak Djokovic at the end of December. Fans can expect a crackling new season when tennis returns.