Tennis icon and 22-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal faced a setback in his comeback match, as he and Marc Lopez were defeated in the first round of the men's doubles at the Brisbane International. The pair, who previously clinched Olympic gold in Rio, were bested in straight sets at 6-4, 6-4 by Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson at the bustling Pat Rafter Arena on December 31 during the ATP 250 event.
The spotlight was on Nadal as he made his first competitive appearance since the Australian Open in 2023. Nadal had been sidelined due to a hip injury, which became evident during his second-round match in Melbourne last year, leading to surgery in June and an intensive recovery period.
Nadal had suggested that the 2024 season might be his final one. When announcing his return earlier this month, he tempered his own expectations.
Despite this, Nadal displayed no signs of rust or lingering hip issues on the court. He impressed with his iconic winners, including a standout backhand cross-court shot in the first set that captivated tennis enthusiasts, igniting hopes for a successful season. Nadal's movement and baseline returns were notably strong, showcasing his enduring skill and fitness.
Nadal and his former partner Lopez, unfortunately, succumbed in straight sets to the local duo, who secured their 64-minute triumph without facing a single break point.
"It's great to see Rafa back. I have been on the receiving end a couple of times in singles so it's nice to get him back on a doubles court," Thompson said in an on-court interview.
Nadal likely saw the doubles match as an opportunity to gauge his form before commencing his singles journey in the Brisbane International.
In the first round, Nadal is set to face former US Open winner Dominic Thiem. Holding a 9-5 advantage in their head-to-head matchups, Nadal meets Thiem, who entered the main round of the ATP 250 tournament through qualifying matches. While facing a challenging draw, Nadal would be content to secure a few victories and build momentum for his campaign leading up to the Australian Open, which begins on January 14.
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