🇪🇸😮 Rafael Nadal will also play DOUBLES in Brisbane, with Marc Lopez! Seemed like a pretty good pairing when they won the Gold Medal in 2016, no? 👏 Source: AS 🗣️
From gold in Rio to Brisbane: Nadal and Lopez reunite for doubles match
ATPFriday, 29 December 2023 at 20:00
Rafael Nadal will make his return to action prior to playing singles at the Brisbane International with fans getting their first taste of the legendary Spaniard in a familiar partnership and a gold medal winning one at that in the doubles.
Nadal will team up with his coach, Marc Lopez for doubles at the ATP 250 tournament, according to reports from Marca. It seems like the latter will be coming out of retirement for this and that it has been pre-planned between the pair to have a special reunion. They won the gold medal together back at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Lopez joined Nadal's coaching team in December 2021 and retired from professional tennis after teaming with the apparent heir to Nadal's throne in Carlos Alcaraz at the 2022 Madrid Masters. But has seemingly seen an opportunity to give Nadal his return to action earlier than expected and likely get his final send-off with his friend and former doubles partner.
In terms of when Nadal will start his singles campaign will be January 2nd, with the draw being confirmed for the Brisbane International on Friday evening at around 11pm GMT. Some though on social media have questioned why Nadal is playing doubles given his injury travails and the fact he has not played in nearly a year, but with minimal preparation before the Australian Open, he may see it as a good chance to get game time in.
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- FYI: The term 'snub' is a much overused verb by writers of sensationalist rags. [SNUB: rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully]. That is not the definition of what is going on with frequent withdrawals from tournaments.
mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
- And this is such a shock to WTA?? How many times are they (WTA & ATP) going to keep stepping in their own s*** ???mandoist15-09-2024
- They can go down together!mandoist15-09-2024
