"You don't want to see Rafa first round in the hotel": Goran Ivanisevic calls Rafael Nadal return 'best news in tennis'

The imminent return of Rafael Nadal to the ATP tour has been labeled as the "best news is tennis," according to Goran Ivanisevic, coach of World No.1 Novak Djokovic.

Nadal has been sidelined since suffering a hip injury in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had surgery to correct the issue in June, and has been recuperating and training in Mallorca. However, the Spaniard recently revealed he would be making a comeback to the ATP tour, with his return tournament yet to be announced.

In an interview following Djokovic's title run in Turin, Ivanisevic spoke on the 2024 season, highlighting the fact that Nadal's comeback make the tour even more competitive.

“I think next year’s going to be very, very competitive and interesting year," said Ivanisevic. "If [it] is true that Rafa is coming [back], this is for me the best news in tennis. I love Rafa. Is going to be interesting, Rafa not seeded.

“He can play first round anybody. You don’t want to see Rafa first round in the hotel (smiling). It’s great for tennis. Rafa will come only if he’s 100% ready. And when Rafa is ready, I think he still has something to say in this left arm.”

2005: French Open (defeated Mariano Puerta 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-1, 7-5)

2006: French Open (defeated Roger Federer 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4))

2007: French Open (defeated Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4)

2008: French Open (defeated Roger Federer 6-1, 6-3, 6-0)
           Wimbledon (defeated Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7)

2009: Australian Open (defeated Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2)

2010: French Open (defeated Robin Soderling 6-4, 6-2, 6-4)
          Wimbledon (defeated Tomas Berdych 6-3, 7-5, 6-4)
            US Open (defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2)

2011: French Open (defeated Roger Federer 7-5, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1)

2012: French Open (defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5)

2013: French Open (defeated David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3)
          US Open (defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1)

2014: French Open (defeated Novak Djokovic 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4)

2017: French Open (defeated Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-3, 6-1)
         US Open (defeated Kevin Anderson 6-3, 6-3, 6-4)

2018: French Open (defeated Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-3, 6-2)

2019: French Open (defeated Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1)
         US Open (defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4)

2020: French Open (defeated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5)

2022: Australian Open (defeated Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5)
          French Open (defeated Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0)