Rafael Nadal's return to the international tennis stage is admirable, but also a physical torture. Since his injury-related exit from the Australian Open, he has hardly been active and has rested himself. Now he is slowly having to admit to himself that, at 37, his body can no longer handle what he has been putting it through for years. In Barcelona and Madrid he has now finally said goodbye to the audience. It's a farewell in installments.
It was a shock when Rafael Nadal had to withdraw due to injury in January 2023 from taking part in the Australian Open, which he had won a year earlier, after all he had competed to continue his incredible winning streak from 2022 and win the Australian Open again . but his body said “No!” And even though many people suspected it, many fans and observers were still amazed at how long the likeable Spaniard had to take a break. 2023 had to be canceled completely and only now, 1 1/4 years after his injury-related retirement, has he reported back and is trying to get back up from world ranking position 654, to which he had fallen. Many people wonder whether that still makes sense, including himself. How good are his chances? How fit is he really? You can only keep your fingers crossed for him, that's all you can do.
First return Barcelona Open 2024
For the first time since the Australian Open 2023, he returned to the Barcelona Open 2024 in April. But somehow the tournament was a big disappointment, as he was soon thrown out of the tournament. After more than a year without international match practice, one couldn't expect more and in particular it was the number 11 in the world, the Australian Alex de Minaur, who took him out of the tournament, not just anyone. But it was an ice-cold slap, a bitter disillusionment.
Madrid Open 2024 - Revenge
Had he had to be eliminated in Barcelona in mid-April 2024, he wanted to give even more at the next tournament. Anyone who knows “Rafa” knows that he never gives up and does everything he can to return the favor at the next opportunity. And so it happened somewhat unexpectedly at the Madrid Open. This time it was he who got the upper hand and shot Alex de Minaur out of the tournament - a successful revenge. With this, Nadal had proven that he still plays and can play at the top level. In Madrid it was the end against Jiri Lehecka in the round of 16 and for Nadal it was the last time he would play in Madrid, he made that clear.
Roland Garros?
What happens next? Will the 14-time French Open winner compete in Paris? The Spaniard will now compete in the ATP 1000 tournament in Rome in May and then decide whether he will start at the French Open. This will be a very difficult decision. In fact, he can't afford to stay away. When he says goodbye to his audience in Spain, the clay court king, as the most successful player in the tournament, has to say goodbye to the audience in Roland Garros. And this farewell is really heartbreaking: for him and for the audience - tears are guaranteed! Another triumph, which no one believes in anymore, probably not even Nadal, although it is possible, would be unsurpassable and that is what Rafael Nadal is, the unsurpassable clay court player the world has ever seen. “Rafa”, we are waiting for you!
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