Nadal Gives Positive Physical Update After His Second Match In Brisbane
ATP
Rafael Nadal was asked how he felt physically after his last match at the 2024 Brisbane International, and his answer was a positive one.
Nadal, who recently moved ahead of a fellow legend in the history books, comfortably defeated Jason Kubler in Brisbane, and looked in absolutely superb form, especially so soon into his long-awaited comeback after a very long time on the sidelines.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion sustained a serious hip injury at last year's Australian Open. This took a much greater period of time to recover from than Nadal originally thought, finally returning after nearly a year out.
Nadal initially hoped to be back in time for the clay court season, with the French Open, the tournament he has dominated throughout his career, the main goal. However, the Spaniard eventually had to have surgery on his troublesome hip.
It is not the only body part that Nadal has had a procedure on. After the 2022 French Open, he had one done on his foot. Nadal had been playing at Roland-Garros using constant injections on his foot, but remarkably, he still won a 14th French Open title.
At his Brisbane press-conference, Nadal first said that his hip was feeling okay after his two matches so far.
"Important thing is the surgery on the psosas-iliac and the hip, that's not bothering me at all. That's super important for me."
It is very encouraging that Nadal's most recent injury is not currently bothering him. That bodes well, and indicates that there is a very good chance of the 14-time French Open champion being in strong shape at the Australian Open.
Nadal also gave additional good news about his previously troublesome foot.
"For the moment, the foot is answering well. That's for me the main issue, that the foot is problematic, and for the moment I am able to move myself with no limitations."
Nadal, who received a time violation against Kubler, is feeling good. That will undoubtedly strike some level of fear into his rivals and future opponents.
