He moved forward at full pace, surpassing all expectations. Rafa Nadal emerged from a year sidelined by psoas tendon issues and managed to play only four matches in 2023. Returning to the court in Brisbane, it looked as if he had never left. He won his first two matches of the year with ease and reached the tournament’s penultimate round for the first time since the comeback began. Wimbledon found him in the same fiercely competitive position that propelled him to multiple majors over the years.
Hero Nadal falls to Thompson on the coast
Alghero Tulleuda Bonifacio
“Everything is important to me right now. Victories are welcomed, but the priority is to play again this Friday. It’s great news to be on court and to add more gameplay in the lead-up to the duel,” Nadal explained. Jordan Thompson, ranked 55th, presented a solid but approachable challenge to Nadal, a player who affirmed that he hasn’t forgotten how to play tennis.
In the second set, Nadal reached three match points. He could not convert, and the match swung in favor of fatigue driven by the persistent heat. The Australian heat began to take its toll, hinting at a trend Nadal has faced before. The three-and-a-half-hour duel ended 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3, marking a turning point where Nadal assessed his level of effort as he pushed through the lingering discomfort.
“The issue is in the same region but not in the same way. If it were the same, I would feel it immediately. Last year the problem was a tendon, but now it feels more muscular. I feel very tired.” Nadal added that he would have to observe how he recovers the following day and hoped to train in Melbourne the next week. “The problem lies in a similar area, which makes me more anxious than usual,” he noted, currently ranked 451st after gaining 50 points from wins against Thiem and Krue Kruber.
“I didn’t feel great about the part where the surgery took place. I hope it’s just overload,” Nadal continued. “If this persists, it would be a very challenging week, but ideally the muscles will be supercharged after the three days of effort and a tough match like today. That would be the best outcome after a year away from competition.”
A look at the dirt season
Beyond the immediate match, Nadal’s words conveyed a familiar resilience: he is ready to fight anyone as long as his body allows. Yet the plan is a measured return, with Paris clay and the Olympic tournament in view. For Nadal, every event this year carries heightened significance, including Roland Garros, and the approach remains cautious and pragmatic.
The Balearic Islands native, now 37, remains focused on match-by-match progress and daily improvement, aiming to avoid the disappointments that followed his return after a long absence from the courts. The aim is to chart a sustainable path back to the top levels of the sport, rather than rushing back to past heights. Nadal emphasized the importance of patience, acknowledging how difficult it is to gauge the body’s response after a year away. He stated that nothing about his plan has changed. If issues arise, they will be addressed calmly and realistically as the season unfolds.
“Last month was fairly positive overall, though the time frame is short,” he remarked. The next steps include potential training and competition in Melbourne, with room for adjustments as required. The focus remains on long-term recovery and steady improvement, rather than immediate results, so that Nadal can compete at the highest level when the time is right.