"He has a competitive animal inside him": Juan Carlos Ferrero does not see Rafael Nadal returning less than 1`00%

Rafael Nadal's return will dominate a lot of discourse ahead of the 2024 season including the Australian Open where he is mooted to return. But some doubts also there that he may not be at the level he was before.

Juan Carlos Ferrero, coach of Carlos Alcaraz speaking to Eurosport has backed him to regain that high level and ultimately that he wouldn't return if he wasn't at his best due to the competitive fire that burns inside of him.

"He will surely return wanting to compete because he has a competitive animal inside him. I see it as logical that he does not see himself competing with Djokovic or against the best right now because he has been out of competition for a long time and it is always difficult to get started again."

"But once he is on the court, his mentality of competing to his maximum will not change. Those who are very, very good always come up with something different from the others and I wouldn't be surprised to see him at the highest level again."

But as well as that, Ferrero personally hopes himself that Nadal can win matches and get the send off he deserves for an illustrious career.

"I would like it, I wouldn't like him (Nadal) to get there and not win matches. Rafa deserves a chance to play well again for everything he has been. It would be exciting to see it."