Former Australian women’s player Barbara Schett believes that
the former world number one Rafael Nadal will going to take some time before returning
to his very best.
The 37-year-old is currently spending time on the sidelines
as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained earlier this year. It
was because of this reason that he ended up missing three out of the four Grand
Slams in 2023.
Schett was recently quoted in a report where she stated that
Nadal will take some time to return to his very best as he has not played at
the highest level for some time.
“Of course, he [Nadal] will be 'rusty',” said the
47-year-old. “To be honest, I don't think he's going to play his best tennis.
Rafa is a guy who needs matches. And everyone else has raised the level again
maybe one more step since the last year. So, it's going to be very difficult
for him.
“But to be honest, I don't really care. I just want to see
him one more time. It's a legend of the game. Obviously, the big focus will be
on the clay, on what he will play in the events leading up to Roland-Garros ,
and then on seeing him back home, where he has had so much success at the
French Open, It's going to be the best.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.