Rafael Nadal said on December 31 that he probably won't play tennis in Australia after 2024. If this is his final year in Australia, then the upcoming Australian Open would be his last tournament there.
The 37-year-old Nadal shared his views ahead of his participation in the Brisbane International, where he is set to compete in both singles and men's doubles.
"The problem about saying that it's going to be my last season is I can't predict what's going on 100 per cent in the future. That's why I say probably. It's obvious that it's a high percentage that this is going to be my last time playing here in Australia," Nadal was quoted as saying in a press conference.
Nadal has been absent from competitive tennis since his last appearance in the second round of the Australian Open in 2023, where he was eliminated after a defeat to Mackenzie MacDonald. Despite having secured victory in the Australian Open twice before, Nadal expressed uncertainty about the future, citing physical challenges he has encountered over the past 12 months.
While content with his return to the sport, the veteran is reluctant to place undue expectations on himself as he looks ahead in his career.
"I can't predict how (I'm) going to be in the next six months. I can't predict if my body will allow me to enjoy tennis as much as I enjoyed the past 20 years. I don't know if my body will allow me to be competitive. I mean, not in a way to win the most important events, but (in) the way that makes me happy, feel myself competitive to go on court and to feel that I can compete against anyone."
"In a realistic world, I'm happy the way that I am practicing. Of course, I don't have the expectations that I used to have in the past, especially for the beginning.
"It's (been) one year. It's surgery. It's not a long period of time practicing at a decent level. For me, is a little bit unpredictable how things (are) going to be.
"Competing is different than practicing. But in terms of practicing with the guys here, I am quite happy because I am able to feel competitive against the players that I played," Nadal added.
At the Brisbane International, Nadal is teaming up with Marc Lopez for the men's doubles, with the duo having clinched the gold medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Additionally, Nadal is set to compete in the singles, where his opponent will be Dominic Thiem, who secured entry through the qualifiers.
For the upcoming Australian Open, commencing on January 14, Nadal secured participation based on a Protected Ranking.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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