🇪🇸😮 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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