Rafael Nadal is drawn in opposition to one other returning Grand Slam champion Dominic Thiem in the spherical of 32 at Brisbane International 2024 on Sunday. Nadal is ready to make his long-awaited comeback to the tennis courtroom after a spot of just about 12 months however faces a tricky draw.
Both Nadal and Thiem are returning to motion from long-term accidents with the former lacking the vast majority of the 2023 season due to a knee damage. Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, has received his final two encounters in opposition to the Spaniard however the latter leads with a 9-6 document.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner returned to motion by way of a doubles recreation at Brisbane International however suffered a loss Sunday. He partnered with former teammate Marc Lopez in the Round of 32 conflict in opposition to Australia’s Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson at Pat Rafter Arena. Nadal confirmed no post-injury struggles and is trying all set for his return to singles on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the world no.4 Holger Rune, the best seed at Brisbane International, will tackle Max Pussel in his first match on Monday. The three-time main Andy Murray additionally faces a tricky draw in his first recreation with second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov in Round of 32.Â
Both Rune and Murray partnered in the double in the spherical of 32 matches however misplaced in opposition to Russia’s Aslan Karatsev and Roman Safiullin on Sunday.
Coming again to Nadal, the 37-year-old veteran has already hinted that the 2024 season can be his final and is anticipating no instant outcomes on his highly-anticipated return. Ahead of his return to motion, the 14-time French Open champion stated that he’s specializing in comeback, not on successful.
“It’s impossible to think about winning tournaments today,” Nadal stated on December 29. “What’s really possible is to enjoy the comeback. I don’t expect much — one year without being on the court.”
