Tennis fans were elated when Rafael Nadal announced that he would be playing a few tournaments next season before he finally retires. His first tournament was supposed to be the Australian Open in 2024. Nadal even shared a few shots of his practicing sessions and they went very viral in the media and people’s assumptions took a swing.
In fact, the CEO of the Australian Open announced that Rafael Nadal had a conversation with him where he said that he would definitely be coming back to the tournament. However, when Nadal was asked about it, he was completely surprised and his answer was very different from what was being rumored.
Rafael Nadal contradicts the announcement made by the CEO of the Australian Open
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In an interview with AS TV, Craig Tailey was asked a few questions about Nadal. During the interview, he said that he met Nadal last week, and he mentioned that he will be coming back for the Australian Open 2024 as he is doing better now and is in a condition to play.
However, when Nadal was asked about the announcement made by Tailey, he was surprised and said something opposite to his statement.
Nadal said, “I had no idea they would say that. I was the first one to be surprised because I don’t even know myself [when I’ll return]. I understand and appreciate the hope of the Australian Open to have me there, my hope as well is to be there, but until this becomes a reality, there’s still a long way to go.”
Nadal said he was 'surprised' Tennis Australia announced him for the Aus Open 2024. 🎙️🇪🇸
"I had no idea they would say that. I was the first one to be surprised because I don't even know it myself [when I'll return].
I understand and appreciate the hope of the Australian Open… pic.twitter.com/izyoqeBlf5
— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) October 20, 2023
According to his statement, he surely wishes to come back for the tournament but it is not fixed as he is still practicing and trying to recover. Nadal also opened up about his comeback plans recently.
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Comeback plans Nadal right through his words
Rafael Nadal recently mentioned that he is training as of now. Even though he is training more now than he did a month ago, he will push his body little by little to increase the intensity. So, it will only be mid-December that he will know if he can come back for the Australian Open.
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He also said that for now, he does not have a date in mind because he still feels pain and discomfort. The ‘King of Clay’ further said that if he did not have pain, he would be able to give people a date, but for now he cannot. Do you think we will see the Spanish tennis legend in Australia next year?
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