After being away from the game for a year due to injury, Rafael Nadal made a triumphant comeback by defeating Dominic Thiem in an intense first-round match at the Brisbane International.
The athlete who has won 22 grand slam titles had been absent from the court since injuring his hip in the 2023 Australian Open. However, as this year’s major event in Melbourne approaches, he showcased his skills with a remarkable performance, ultimately winning 7-5 6-1 in just an hour and 29 minutes.
“Today is a significant and emotional day for me, especially after facing one of the most challenging years of my tennis career,” Nadal expressed on the court following his win. “Having the opportunity to return after a year and compete in front of a fantastic audience at a high level is something that fills us with pride – myself, my team, and my family who have supported me every single day over the past year.”
“I longed for good health, the feeling of competitiveness, and performing in front of a lively audience like this. Everything went smoothly and I am thrilled to return again tomorrow.”
Nadal, prior to his highly anticipated return, expressed doubt in his ability to win tournaments. The first set was closely contested before the Spaniard secured a crucial break of serve, taking advantage of his fourth set point.
Thiem, the winner of the 2020 US Open, was performing flawlessly at the time, but he soon found himself at risk of being eliminated early. Nadal continued to dominate the match by breaking Thiem’s serve once again in the second set. After recovering from hip surgery last year, the 37-year-old won four out of the next five games, achieving an impressive victory after being sidelined for a long time. In the second round, he will play against either the eighth-seeded Russian Aslan Karatsev or Australian wildcard Jason Kubler.
Nadal emphasized the significance of having support, especially during difficult times. He expressed gratitude for the thousands of messages he received throughout the year and acknowledged the impact of having supportive people by his side every day. Due to his extended time away from competition, he did not have a concrete measure of his performance level. The first set was evenly matched, with both players serving effectively. However, Nadal’s crucial break at 6-5 ultimately made the difference.
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“I am aware that Dominic has also faced difficulties due to injuries. Therefore, it brings me joy to see him back on the court and I offer him my best wishes for the upcoming season.”
Source: theguardian.com
