Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal marked the beginning of 2024 with a triumph at the Brisbane International, ending a 349-day hiatus from the court.
Nadal, a remarkable 22-time Grand Slam champion, signaled his return from an injury-enforced break with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Dominic Thiem on January 2.
Having initiated his comeback in Brisbane, Nadal faced his first singles challenge two days later, partnering with compatriot Marc Lopez in doubles against Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.
In the singles match against Thiem, Nadal demonstrated his brilliance, composure, and agility, winning 21 of his initial 24 points while serving. His precision and movement, coupled with his renowned passion, proved vital in securing the first set in the twelfth game with a break point.
Continuing his momentum into the second set, Nadal achieved love holdings on both sides and secured another break to lead 3-0. Despite Thiem’s efforts, Nadal maintained control, securing another break to establish a commanding 5-1 advantage.
Following the victory, Nadal expressed his gratitude to the enthusiastic crowd, considering the occasion as emotionally significant. “Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career,” he shared. “I had the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play at a very positive level on the first day – something that makes us feel proud.”
Using the match against Thiem as preparation, Nadal gears up for the Australian Open, commencing on January 14 in Melbourne. Notably, this match marked Nadal’s return to singles competition since the second round of the 2023 Australian Open in January.
