{"id":97574,"date":"2023-12-18T13:09:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T13:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=97574"},"modified":"2023-12-18T13:09:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T13:09:07","slug":"rafael-nadal-playing-at-high-level-as-leaked-call-gives-australian-open-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/tennis\/rafael-nadal-playing-at-high-level-as-leaked-call-gives-australian-open-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal playing at ‘high level’ as leaked call gives Australian Open update"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rafael Nadal set for 2024 farewell after pulling out of French Open<\/h3>\n

Rafael Nadal has been tipped to make a triumphant return to action in 2024 as he prepares to make his much-anticipated comeback at the\u00a0Australian Open. The legendary Spaniard has not played since the last tournament in Melbourne and underwent surgery on his hip in the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 22-time Grand Slam victor is expected to make the trip Down Under for what could be the start of a farewell tour, given his advancing years and recent fitness record. He has been consigned to the sidelines since suffering a hip injury in his Round 2\u00a0defeat against Mackenzie McDonald at Melbourne Park in January.<\/p>\n

Although his layoff had originally only been expected to last a matter of weeks, the decision for the former world number one to go under the knife in June meant he was unable to stage a return earlier. However, after a spell of rehabilitation, the 37-year-old icon is set to first compete a the Brisbane International.<\/p>\n

This tournament effectively serves as a warm-up contest ahead of the Australian Open, with Nadal currently sitting in\u00a0663th place in the ATP rankings after nearly a year out with injury. His near two-decade-long stint in the top 10 ended in March while he was still ruled out.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

However, it appears that Nadal is in good condition as he heads towards his comeback, with Roger Federer’s old coach\u00a0Ivan Ljubicic\u00a0having given the latest on his progress. He had previously spoken to\u00a0Arthur Fills, who had trained alongside Nadal for a week during his rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

Ljubicic\u00a0told La Gazzetta: “Nadal’s return will not be a presence of old glory. Fils, the French tennis player that I follow through the Federation, trained with him this week in Kuwait. He has written to me and told me that he is playing at a very high level. I still expect great things from Nadal.”<\/p>\n

“It’s impossible to have the same conditions in training as in a match. Playing the best of five sets, win, rest, return to court two days later… That’s the doubt I have right now, especially for a Grand Slam. But we have time. If the Australian Open started tomorrow, it would be a real fear.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong>
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s net worth vs world’s richest tennis player[LATEST] <\/strong>
Rafael Nadal comments from two years ago sum up his current comeback[LATEST] <\/strong>
Nadal’s practice partner messages Roger Federer’s coach to spill the beans[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n