Rafael Nadal admits that he continues to experience discomfort whilst training but is hoping that he will be able to return to professional tennis at the start of next year.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played on the Tour since his second round defeat at the Australian Open due to a hip injury which he underwent surgery on during the summer. Nadal originally assumed his injury would sidelined him for roughly eight weeks but the recovery didn’t go to plan. Prompting him to take an extended break and admit that he could retire from tennis in 2024.
Recently Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley claimed the former world No.1 would be playing at his tournament next January. However, that has been played down by Nadal’s team who says they are still not in a position to issue a comeback date.
Providing an update on his fitness during an event in Madrid earlier this week, Nadal says he is remaining cautiously optimistic.
“I’m training more now than a month ago but I’m taking it one day at a time. Let’s see if I have the chance to increase the intensity to come back little by little,” Marca quoted him as saying.
However, the 37-year-old continues to struggle with pain in his hip region which is preventing him from setting out a return date.
“My first idea would be to return in Australia but I can’t tell you. I’m able to train a little more, which for me is a step forward,” he said.
“I’m in less pain but I still have some discomfort. If I had less pain, I could give you a date.”
Nadal has won 92 ATP titles so far in his career and has earned more than $134m in prize money. He is the first man to have completed a career Grand Slam twice and win two Olympic gold medals. The Spaniard also holds the record for most consecutive weeks spent inside the world’s top 10 at 912 weeks (April 2005 to March 2023).
“I’m on the right path but I’m in unknown territory because it’s an injury I haven’t had before,” he admits.
“Even so, I’m still looking forward to it. I wish I could know when I’m coming back but that’s not the case. I tried to come back for the clay season but it wasn’t to be.
“The pressure has always been from me personally because I have always been a demanding person with myself.”
Nadal is currently ranked 243rd in the world.
