Legendary tennis star Rafael Nadal finally breaks silence to compete in the 2024 Australian Open, The Herald reports.
Since suffering a hip flexor injury in January while losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal has been unable to compete. The injury forced him to undergo surgery in June this year.
Since then, he has not returned to the court but his management team said the 22 Grand Slams winner has started training and the 2024 Australian Open in January could be his first grand slam post-surgery.
The director of the competition, Craig Tiley, confirmed the development earlier today, October 11, describing Rafael Nadal’s proposed return to the court as “awesome”.
“We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,” Tiley said.
“He’s been off for most of the year and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about, the champion of 2022. That’s awesome.”
Further speaking via his official X (formerly known as Twitter) Nadal stated that; “I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open… I am practicing every day and working hard to come back asap 💪🏻😉”
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
The Australian Open will last 15 days starting in 2024 to cut down on the number of late-night finishes in the forthcoming edition of the competition at Melbourne Park.