Reports indicate that Rafael Nadal is eyeing a return for the 2024 Australian Open and intends to fly out next month. The 37-year-old has been out of action since a hip injury occurred during his encounter with Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open. Despite having surgery in June and expecting a relatively short recovery, the Spanish star had to push back his comeback on clay, resulting in his first missed French Open since 2004. When announcing his withdrawal from the tournament, he mentioned that the 2024 season would likely be his last.
Rafael Nadal hopes to compete in the 2024 Australian Open and will fly to Australia next month, according to reports. The 37-year-old has not played since injuring his hip in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open against Mackenzie McDonald in January. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had surgery on the problem in June, expecting to be away for six to eight weeks. The Spaniard was forced to postpone his scheduled clay-court comeback and therefore missed the French Open for the first time since 2004. In a news conference announcing his withdrawal from Roland Garros, he stated that 2024 would most likely be his final season on the circuit.
The former world number one most recently lifted a Major trophy at the 2022 French Open, where he swept aside Casper Ruud to set a record with his 14th title at Roland Garros. Earlier this month, Nadal noted that his training has come a long way and he is preparing to return to the tour, though he hasn't yet named the specific tournament for his comeback.
\"For a while, I wasn't sure if I'd ever step onto a tennis court again, but now I believe I will,\" Nadal shared. He explained that his outlook shifted recently because his recovery has been consistently positive. \"I've made significant strides lately. I can't say exactly where I'll be playing yet, but I'll share the news as soon as I know. This is a great phase for me—definitely a step in the right direction, and it means the world to me,\" the Spaniard added.
According to journalist Pedro Fullana of Cadena SER, Nadal intends to visit Kuwait in early December to ramp up his training intensity at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Fullana further noted that after a brief trip back to Spain for the Christmas holidays, Nadal will head to Australia in late December to participate in warm-up tournaments before the main event in Melbourne.
Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open, reiterated last week his hope to see Nadal in the first Major of the year. \"I've been keeping a close eye on Rafa's training—practically every day—because he's such a huge attraction for the tournament. He's clearly planning to play and wants to be there; it all just depends on his physical condition,\" Tiley remarked.