"I don't think he's going to play his best tennis": Rafael Nadal has tough road ahead in comeback admits Barbara Schett

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.”