- Rafael Nadal has made a superb return to the tennis court
- He defeated Dominic Thiem in straight sets on Tuesday
- Nadal’s career was under threat after hip surgery
Rafael Nadal sent an emphatic message to the tennis world on Tuesday as the Spanish superstar made a huge stride in his return from a career-threatening injury.
Nadal, 37, dispatched of former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets in his first competitive match in almost a year, having been sidelined for much of 2023 with a serious hip problem.
The Spaniard underwent surgery for the injury and there were grave concerns for the fan-favourite’s career – which has seen him win a staggering 22 grand slams.
But Nadal has made an astonishing return to the court as he eyes a fairytale 2024, which he has admitted is likely to be his final season on the circuit.
The 37-year-old defeated Austria star Thiem in straight sets, winning 7-5, 6-1 at the Brisbane International.
Rafael Nadal made an emphatic return to the court on Tuesday evening
The 37-year-old defeated former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets
Fans were given a rare first-round treat as Nadal and Thiem, who have twice clashed in French Open finals, produced some incredible shot-making to light up Pat Rafter Arena after two gloomy days of rain.
Playing for the first time since first suffering his hip injury in a shattering second-round Australian Open loss, as defending champion, to Mackenzie McDonald last January, Nadal came out firing from the get-go.
He bludgeoned a signature forehand winner in the first rally of the match and dropped just three points on serve while taking the opening set with a mix of power and deft touch at the net.
After gaining the first break in the 12th game, the great Spaniard rolled through the second set in rapid fashion to show he remains very much a grand slam heavyweight to be reckoned with ahead of the season’s first major starting in Melbourne in 12 days.
His breathtaking comeback will raise hopes of the mighty Majorcan renewing his compelling rivalry with 10-times Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.
Nadal looked back to his best after spending a year out with a career-threatening hip injury
The last time he was on court Nadal was the men’s all-time grand slam titles leader with 22 career majors.
But he has had to painfully watch ever since as Djokovic landed three of the four slams in 2023 to move to 24 major crowns of his own.
The race could be back on if Nadal can reprise the form that helped him capture a second Australian Open title in 2022, then a mind-boggling 14th French Open trophy five months later before injury intervened.