Rafael
Nadal returned to play an official match at the ATP 250 Brisbane International,
teaming up with retired Marc Lopez, his partner in winning the Olympic gold in
Rio 2016. The Spanish pair lost to Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson
in two sets, with a score of 6-4 and 6-4.
It was
Nadal's first on-court appearance in an official match before his upcoming
singles debut against Dominic Thiem, scheduled for this Tuesday at the Brisbane
tournament. During the match, Nadal once again showcased his soccer skills by
passing the ball to a ball kid with his foot:
“Missed
Rafa turning into prime Zidane routinely”
Tough first-round match
In his
return to the courts in Brisbane, Rafael Nadal appeared smiling and determined
just hours before facing his comeback in singles, against none other than the
2020 US Open champion, Dominic Thiem (world No. 98). Precisely a few days ago,
they played a practice set.
Nadal
currently leads the head-to-head (h2h) record 9-6, including two French Open
finals (2018 and 2019) and the finals of the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open,
both in 2017. Since winning his first Grand Slam, Thiem suffered a serious
injury, and in the last year since returning to the Tour, he hasn't found his
best form, although this time he managed to overcome the tournament's
qualifying rounds with two impressive comebacks against James McCabe (No. 278) and
Guido Zeppieri (No. 135).
Last Australian Open for Nadal?
The
22-times Grand Slam champion is gearing up for the upcoming Australian Open as
the first major goal of the year. Nadal commented in a press conference after
the doubles match that he isn't entirely certain if it will be his last AO, a
tournament he claimed victory in 2009 and 2022: "The problem with saying
it's going to be my last season is that I can't predict what's going on 100% in
the future."
"It's
obvious it's a high percentage that it's going to be my last time playing in
Australia," former world No. 1 added. “But if I'm here next year, don't
tell me, 'You said it's going to be your last season,' because I didn't say it,”
Rafa Nadal concluded.
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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