Craig Tiley, the director of the Australian Open, has announced that Rafael Nadal will make his comeback to grand-slam tennis in 2024.
The individual, aged 37, has not competed since experiencing a hip flexor injury when losing in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Melbourne tournament.
Earlier this year, Nadal stated that he would not be participating in the French Open due to undergoing surgery for an ongoing issue. The French Open is where he has won 14 out of his 22 major titles.
Due to his lack of participation, the Spanish player’s ranking has dropped to 240th globally. However, Nadal will have the advantage of a preserved ranking for the initial major tournament of the 2024 season.
Tiley, the chief executive of Tennis Australia, announced on the Australian morning show The Today Show that Rafael Nadal will be returning to the sport after being absent for most of the year. In a recent conversation with Nadal, Tiley confirmed that the champion will be back in action, which is cause for excitement for the 2022 season.
According to Tiley, several notable players, including previous women’s singles winners Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Angelique Kerber, will be participating in the tournament. He expressed excitement for their return and the potential for their future in Melbourne.
Nick Kyrgios, a beloved player at home, has only been able to participate in one ATP Tour match in 2023 due to injuries. However, he has resumed training and is optimistic about his chances of being healthy for Melbourne. Tiley also mentioned that Kyrgios is putting in all his effort to return to his top form.
Source: theguardian.com
