Almost a year after being eliminated from the Australian Open 2023 Rafael Nadal has returned to play a singles match. It was on the Pat Rafter court at the ATP 250 in Brisbane, where he defeated an old enemy, Dominic Thiem (7-5/6-1), making it clear that he is not back for a walkover.
We saw Rafa enter the court thinner than ever, aware that at this stage of his career, speed can be the key to success. His set-up was perfect: forehand winner and a game in white to start. It didn't look like they were playing 100 against 672nd in the world.
Thiem was not impressed by Rafa's good start and equalized the duel serving at a good level. The 22-time Grand Slam champion, very confident with his serve, won again with his serve the game in white to take a 2-1 lead.
The duel continued with both players very solid with his serve and with Rafa breaking a sweat in the Australian heat. However, he was very firm with his serves, which kept him ahead on the scoreboard (4-3).
KEY MOMENT FIRST SET.
At that point in the match the serves continued to prevail. No break ball for Nadal or Thiem with 4-4 on the scoreboard. The first break point came at 6-5 up for Rafa. After a long point, more typical of clay from one of the finals of Roland Garros they played, the Spaniard managed to have a set point, but Thiem saved it by being aggressive on serve;
Nadal, however, continued to press in the rallies and had a second set point that the Austrian also saved with serve-volley. The third set ball came after a double fault. The tension was palpable. Rafa also failed on this occasion to win the set after sending the rest very long;
Thus, it was with the fourth break point of Nadal with which Rafa got the first set. 56 minutes and Thiem's error came with his forehand into the net after two balls saved by Nadal previously. Immaculate set for him with zero break balls against and squeezing his rival to win at the key moment;
SAME INTENSITY IN THE SECOND SET.
Rafa Nadal started the second set in the same way he had finished the first: very solid with the service, winning it in white, and just as aggressive in the rest, pushing a Thiem who had played perfect until 6-5 of the first set and that both psychically and physically began to fall apart;
Thus, Rafa started with a 3-0 lead in the second set with two games in white on serve. Everything was on track for victory after almost a year without playing any singles match. Nadal took the next game calmly and Thiem took it in white;
With 4-1 up, Nadal again got a break ball after a very deep forehand that Thiem could not return. With the Austrian down, Rafa played solid the next point to get his second break of the set and leave everything sentenced. He served to win the second set 6-1. Great return of Rafa Nadal who has been seen very well physically, we will see how he faces the second round next Thursday January 4 in Brisbane.
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.
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