It was moving forward at full speed, much better than anyone expected. Rafa Nadal after being sidelined for a year with psoas tendon problems that will allow him to play just four matches in 2023. Back to the slopes in Brisbane It’s like he never left. He easily dispatched the first two matches of the year and reached the penultimate round of a tournament for the first time. Wimbledon It feels like he’s in the same ultra-competitive spot that propelled him two years ago and throughout his career.

“Everything is important to me right now. Victories are important to me, but it’s also important that I play again this Friday. “It’s great news for me to play,” he admitted, emphasizing the need to add gameplay in preparation for the duel. Jordan ThompsonIt ranks 55th in the rankings. A priori, he is a good level affordable rival for a Nadal and someone who is happy to confirm the statement “I haven’t forgotten how to play tennis”.

And that seemed to be the case until the second set, when the Spaniard pulled up to three match points. But he couldn’t close the match, he gave up in the second round tiebreaker and fatigue increased exponentially due to the constant heat. Australiabegan to influence the winner. 22 Grand SlamsHe noticed something was going wrong in an area very close to the one that brought him to the brink of retirement last year. Nadal’s defeat in the duel that lasted three and a half hours (5-7, 7-6 (6) and 6-3) was a turning point in the match in which he devoted himself to measuring his efforts.

“The problem is in the same place but it is not the same. If it were the same, I would feel it immediately. Last year it was in the tendon and I feel it more on a muscular level. I feel it now.” have very tired muscle. I’ll have to see how I get up tomorrow but I’m hoping to train in Melbourne next week. “The problem is that it’s in a similar area, which makes you a little more anxious than usual,” he said. Ranked 451st in the ATP rankings After adding 50 points in wins against Thiem and Kruber.

“I didn’t feel very good about the part where I had the surgery. I hope it’s just overload“added a disgruntled Nadal, “if it stays like this it would be a very positive week, if not just that,” he assured: “The best thing in an ideal world is that the muscles need to be supercharged after these three days of effort and a match as tough as today . “This would be the best thing that could happen after a year without playing and the normal thing to do during this period.”

A look at dirt season

Underlying his words is the feeling that, as always throughout his career, Nadal is ready to fight anyone if his body allows it. However, with a more planned return in the medium term, Paris clayAny precautions are insufficient in this country, where the Olympic tennis tournament will be held this year as well as Roland Garros.

That’s why they 37 yearsThe Balearic Islands care more this year than ever before, match by match and day by dayTrying to get away from the disappointments of returning after being away from the slopes for so long, without raising high expectations.

“I was talking to very careful because I know that after a year it is difficult for the organization to play tournaments at the highest level. You don’t know how your body will react when things get tough. I need to be clear. Nothing has changed for me. Nadal said after his defeat against Thompson: “My approach to this issue has not changed at all. I have to accept everything as it is. If something happens, if I have a problem there, if there is a problem in another part of the body, I have to accept this“, he summarized, aware of his limitations in returning to the highest level.

“Last month was pretty good overall.” intensitybut that’s not a very long time. So hopefully it’s not a big deal and hopefully I’ll get a chance to train and play in Melbourne next week. But honestly, now I’m not 100% sure of anything”.