Top star Rafael Nadal celebrated a successful comeback on the tennis tour after an injury break of almost a year. In Brisbane, Australia, the 37-year-old Spaniard won his first round game against the Austrian Dominic Thiem 7:5, 6:1 on Tuesday and immediately showed his exceptional class.
“Today is an emotional and important day for me – after probably one of the most difficult years of my tennis career,” said Nadal in an interview on the court after his victory in 1:29 hours. He was proud of his “positive level” in his first match. He went into the match nervous and with doubts about the long break.
For the 22-time Grand Slam tournament winner, the 250 hard court event in northeastern Australia is the first tournament since his dramatic second-round exit at the Australian Open on January 18, 2023. This ended his long period of suffering due to a hip injury and renewed doubts as to whether he would continue his career.
AFP