Rafael Nadal after returning with victory 349 days later: "It is a very emotional day after one of my most complicated years"
ATP
Rafael Nadal has returned to play a singles match after almost a year of injury and has done so with a victory over Dominic Thiem in the first round of the ATP 250 in Brisbane. After the match, he spoke on court and thanked the support received in the most complicated year of his career:
"Thank you for the support since I arrived here, today is an emotional and very important day after one of my most complicated years, to be able to come back and play in front of such incredible fans, I think I had a positive level for the first day, it's nice to be able to do it in front of my family after such a hard year."
Click
here to create your own team for the Fantasy ATP 2024. At least $2775/€2,500/£2,175
in prizes!!
About the match itself, he acknowledged that the first set had been very even and that the difference was made in the end with the break achieved. He had words of support for his rival, Thiem:
"The first set was very even, we were at a good level, then I was able to have the break at 6-5. I know Dominic has had a hard time with the injury, happy to see him play and may he do very well in the season."
He went on to make it clear that the support he has received from his fans and family has been key to his return and that, logically, he missed competing:
"Support is very important, especially in bad times, receiving thousands of messages and having people who love me around me makes all the difference. I missed being healthy, playing in front of a crowd like the one in Australia, feeling competitive again".
Finally, he was reminded that with this triumph he surpassed Ivan Lendl in number of victories, something he did not know and to which he does not give importance: "I did not know the statistics, I have enough work trying to get back on the court and trying to be competitive again. Things have been going well and I hope to play here again tomorrow";
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.
mandoist09-11-2026 - Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
- Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.mandoist06-11-2026
- Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
