Rafael Nadal is diligently preparing for his return, showcased in a recently surfaced video of his rigorous training in Mallorca, much to the excitement of his fans. After being absent from the Australian Open, the 22-time Major champion is set to compete in Doha in a fortnight, aiming for his second victory in the desert and his first in a decade.
Nadal appears to be in top form, demonstrating powerful shots from the baseline and aiming to compete without injury concerns following a setback in Brisbane earlier in the season. During a quarter-final match against Jordan Thompson, the veteran suffered a minor tear in the muscle surrounding his problematic left hip.
Despite a commendable effort, which involved three hours and 25 minutes of intense play, Nadal ultimately fell short, missing three match points in the second set and ending up on the losing side. Subsequently, Nadal underwent an MRI examination in Melbourne and made the difficult decision to skip the Australian Open, prioritizing caution after a year of absence.
Doha has been revealed as Nadal’s next destination, opting to stay on hard courts rather than pursuing victories on clay in South America. Nadal has participated in the Doha tournament eight times between 2005 and 2016, including a runner-up finish in 2010 and a championship win four years later against Gael Monfils.
In his most recent appearance in the desert in 2016, Nadal reached the final but suffered a significant defeat to the world No. 1, Novak Djokovic, in just 73 minutes. Nadal had intended to compete in Doha in 2023, but a hip injury during the Australian Open disrupted his entire season, leading to surgery in June and a gradual return to the court later in the year.
Feeling encouraged by positive signs during training sessions and workouts, Nadal announced his comeback for the beginning of 2024, starting with Brisbane as his initial tournament. In his first match after a 349-day hiatus, Nadal faced his longtime rival Dominic Thiem, delivering a strong performance to secure victory in straight sets after a dominant display from 5-5 in the opening set.
Nadal continued his winning streak in the second round against Jason Kubler, displaying a level of play that his opponent couldn’t match. However, in the quarter-finals against Jordan Thompson, despite winning the first set and holding three match points in the second, Nadal was unable to capitalize, ultimately conceding a hard-fought defeat after a grueling three-hour and 25-minute battle.
Following the match, Nadal announced a minor tear in his muscle and opted to withdraw from the Australian Open, prioritizing his recovery and avoiding further complications. Returning home, he took time to rest before resuming training, with hopes of a successful and injury-free performance in Doha.