Spaniard makes official announcement: Nadal: ‘I don’t deserve to stop like this’

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Rafael Nadal last appeared on the tennis court on January 18, 2022. Since then, a hip injury has kept him out of action. Now the Spaniard is making his comeback for the tournament in Brisbane in preparation for the Australia Open, which starts on January 15.

In a video message, Nadal confirms what has only been said by others so far, namely that the 22-time Grand Slam winner will be there in Melbourne. ‘I don’t think I deserve to stop like this. I have invested too much in my career to announce my end at a press conference. I’m going to do everything I can so that I can stop in a different way,” the Spaniard said in the video.

Is the discharge plan ready yet?

In mid-November, Nadal had already spoken at a press event about returning to the tour, but at that time there was no exact date yet. After the long injury break, it is unlikely that the Mallorcan will set too ambitious goals. “I will not win more Grand Slam tournaments than Novak Djokovic (24 titles, editor’s note), but I will make it possible to enjoy them again,” he says, no longer interested in chasing a new record . The last big goals are probably the French Open and the Olympic Games at the same venue in Paris.

During his injury hiatus, Nadal, who had fallen to No. 664 in the world rankings, hinted several times that 2024 could be his final season as a professional tennis player. He has not yet officially announced his retirement – unlike his return to the tour. (dti)

Source : Blick