Rafael Nadal To Return At Australian Open

Rafael Nadal will officially return at the Australian Open in January.

The 37-year-old, 22-time Grand Slam champion has been out of action since suffering an injury to his lower abdomen and upper right leg at this year’s Australian Open in January.

“We can reveal exclusively here that Rafael Nadal will be back,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said, per nine.com. “He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about. That’s awesome.”

Nadal won the Australian Open in 2022, coming from two sets down to beat Russian Daniil Medevdev in a match that lasted 5 hours, 24 minutes. At the time, it marked his record 21st Grand Slam title. He went on to win his 22nd at Roland Garros that year.

But Novak Djokovic later tied and passed Nadal, and now sits at 24 major titles after winning the U.S. Open this year.

The two have gone back and forth in the media in recent weeks, with Nadal initially saying Djokovic would have been “frustrated” had he not ended up with the most career majors.

Djokovic responded this week.

“I have no intention of speaking in a negative light about him or Roger Federer – my respect towards them supersedes some negative opinions I might have,” he said. “Again, that’s Rafa’s opinion and I, of course, don’t agree. I have my opinion, but I won’t share it as I don’t want us to go deeper into that. There is no need for that.”

Nadal, who this year became a father, has said that 2024 will likely be his final year on tour.

“I just want to give myself the opportunity to compete again for what will be my last year,” he said in May. “I hope that 2024 is not just a year of simple appearances, but a year where I can win the tournaments I play. It will be difficult, but we have to hope for it.”