Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are optimistic about Rafael Nadal’s return to peak performance at the upcoming Australian Open despite a hip injury that sidelined the seasoned Spaniard throughout the 2023 season.
Nadal underwent surgery for a muscle issue he suffered at Melbourne Park in January. He is set to make his comeback at Brisbane this weekend, gearing up for the Australian Open scheduled from January 14 to 28, where he clinched two of his 22 Grand Slam titles.
While the 37-year-old anticipates retiring in 2024 due to various injuries impacting his time on the circuit, recent intensive training sessions indicate his determination to make a significant impact. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, emphasized that writing off his formidable rival would be premature.
“I always expect him to play at his best, to be honest,” Djokovic remarked after his exhibition match loss to Alcaraz in Riyadh on Wednesday. “He’s not the kind of player who will come back to the tour just to play at a moderate level. He wants to win titles, be the best; that’s why he’s a legend of our sport. I’m sure his training and preparation are geared towards winning a Grand Slam.“
Alcaraz, who has faced Nadal three times, echoed the sentiment, stating that fellow players who practised with Nadal in recent weeks reported that he is returning to his top form.
“I hear from other players that practiced with Rafa in these past weeks, and they said he’s going to return to his good level, his top level,” Alcaraz affirmed.
However, Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, expressed concerns last week about the toll of Grand Slam tennis on Nadal’s body despite acknowledging positive progress in training following his recovery from a hip injury.
