"The tournaments will not be catwalks": Rafael Nadal not returning just for farewell tour believes Paolo Bertolucci
ATP
Former
world No. 12 Paolo Bertolucci asserted that Rafael Nadal will not return solely
for a farewell tour but will seek to win as much as possible.
The former
Italian tennis player, who won six ATP tournaments and reached world No. 12 in
1973 after reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open, Paolo Bertolucci
currently works as a journalist and commentator. He spoke about Rafael Nadal's
comeback and his competitive spirit to return at the highest level.
The Spanish
tennis star recently announced his return at the ATP 250 Brisbane International
Open, starting on December 31, with the goal of gaining competitive rhythm for
the Australian Open. There are doubts about the level Nadal can display at the
age of 37 and after nearly a year away, but Bertolucci believes that the former
world No. 1 will come with the intention of surpassing his rivals:
“I'm sure,
however, that he will still have a great desire to compete and overcome his
opponents: someone like him doesn't come back to do the farewell tour. The
tournaments will not be catwalks to collect the last applause and say goodbye
to his many fans," he told.
“There is a
lot of curiosity in seeing him back on the court. Accustomed as he was to
breaking so many records, perhaps he wants to push the boundaries of his legend
further,” Bertolucci added.
“He chose
Australia to start again, but I believe that everything is part of the design
of a very targeted program through specific tests that have validated this
decision and which should bring him in good condition for the clay tournaments
from May to June,” he concluded.
Nadal only
played two matches in 2023, both at the Aussie Open, with a victory over Jack
Draper and a tough loss to Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets. Without
participating in more tournaments, Nadal currently holds the world No. 664
ranking, and he will lose his remaining points after the first Grand Slam of
the year.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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