NEWSLETTER | NADAL WILL RETURN AT 2024 AUSTRALIAN OPEN...HOPEFULLY

Rafael Nadal hopes to return to professional tennis in January after a year out

By Stephen Higgins | 16th October 2023

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal hasn't competed on tour since his injury-hampered loss to Mackenzie McDonald last January | Crosscourt View

As I watched the action in Shanghai, nobody could ignore the presence of Roger Federer in the crowd, resplendent as usual in shades and a fine shirt.

The 20-time major winner has embraced his role as the sport’s ambassador just as smoothly as caressed those touch volleys. Meanwhile, across the world, Rafael Nadal still rages against the dying of the light.

Last week, the CEO of Tennis Australia, Craig Tiley, confirmed that the 22-time grand slam champion will return to professional tennis in Melbourne. However, Nadal was more circumspect about a definite time or place:

Rafael Nadal tweet

We can say for sure that Nadal is back training. The 37-year-old had hip surgery in June for the injury suffered against Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open. Nadal has not played a professional match since then and his ranking has plummeted to no.243.

To give you an idea of the Spaniard’s extraordinary consistency at the very highest level, when he fell to no.13 in March, that broke a streak of 912 weeks in the top 10 dating back to when he was 18.

If Nadal can make it to Melbourne, he will take his place amongst a throng of comeback stories. Fellow former champions Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki are all expected to be at Melbourne Park in January.

Like those superstars, Nadal will wonder what his body can still produce at this stage.

“Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.”
Dylan Thomas

SHANGHAI | ATP 1000

Poland dominates the news cycle both on and off court as Hubert Hurkacz won his second Masters 1000 title on Sunday while his compatriots went to the polls.

The ATP Tour’s ace leader dominated the competition with that gargantuan serve and struck 21 in the final to beat Andrey Rublev 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8).

The victory propels the 26-year-old towards the top 10 while Rublev returns to the top five after his efforts.

ZHENGZHOU | WTA 250

Qinwen Zheng may have arrived as a serious force. The 21-year-old, who has been on the radar for sometime, recovered from a set down to beat Barbora Krejcikova 2-6 6-2 6-4 in the final.

It’s the biggest title yet for the Chinese no.1, her second of the season, and pushes Zheng back inside the top 20. Meanwhile, Krejcikova moves back inside the top 15.

HONG KONG | WTA 250

There was a very impressive showing from 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez here as she beat a contingent of good players to secure a third career title. The Canadian defeated Victoria Azarenka (retired), rising star Mirra Andreeva, Anna Blinkova and then, in the final, Katerina Siniakova 3-6 6-4 6-4. The 21-year-old returns to the top 50 as a result.

SEOUL | WTA 250

It was a straightforward week for world no.4 Jessica Pegula as she cruised to the title with a 6-2 6-3 final victory over Yue Yuan. The American, who only dropped one set all week, earned her second title of the year and fourth overall.