Nadal followers advised once they may see Spaniard again on court docket after damage woes
Feliciano Lopez has supplied some new updates on Rafael Nadal’s return from damage. The 37-year-old hasn’t performed a match since January this 12 months and underwent surgical procedure three months in the past. But Lopez assured tennis followers that they might see the 22-time Grand Slam champion again in motion subsequent 12 months as his rehab was progressing nicely. And he famous the tournaments that Nadal may select to play.
Nadal has been absent from the tennis tour this season after choosing up a left psoas damage on the Australian Open. The Spaniard initially tried to mount a comeback for the clay season earlier than conceding that his therapy plans weren’t working. He then referred to as a press convention, saying that he would return in 2024 for what would probably be the ultimate 12 months of his profession.
The former world No 1 additionally underwent arthroscopic hip surgical procedure on the eve of his thirty seventh birthday in June and little has been recognized of his restoration and comeback plans since. But certainly one of Nadal’s compatriots gave an encouraging replace on his optimistic progress and speculated over his attainable schedule for 2024.
“It’s very difficult to say now,” Lopez mentioned. “First of all, he needs to finish the rehab, he is now on the rehab process and everything’s going well so far. But I think it’s gonna be up to him by the end of the season and also it’s going to be, in my opinion, depending on how is he feeling. If he feels that he’s ready to compete, at the best level, he’s going to give himself the opportunity to compete.”
The former world No 12 continued to throw up the clay season as Nadal’s most evident option to return to competitors. And Lopez warned the remainder of the tour that the 22-time Major winner may nonetheless be very harmful if he was match. He continued: “But I don’t know if he’s going to go for the full season or if maybe he’s going to play only the clay.
“It’s going to be depending on how is he feeling. But if there is one thing I know, you can never underestimate Rafa, because if he’s physically okay, let’s say 80, 90 per cent, I think he’s still going to be able to challenge the best players in the world still now.
“With Rafa, you can never make a prediction because he’s the one who is able to surprise everyone, even in difficult situations. As well as the clay season, Lopez said the Olympic Games could be a possibility for the 37-year-old as the tennis tournament will be held at the French Open site, Nadal’s most successful stage.
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As for the Australian Open, Lopez was uncertain. “I think it’s very early to make a realistic plan of where is he going to play and when is he going to start playing. But by the end of the year, I think he’s going to be fully recovered. So far, everything’s going great. So maybe Australia is too early. Maybe he doesn’t want play in Australia because maybe he wants to focus only on the clay season.”
Regardless of the schedule, Lopez had good news for Nadal’s followers as he assured them that they might see their man again in motion subsequent season. The Spaniard concluded: “I think everything is going great. For all of the tennis fans around the world, I think they’re going to have another opportunity to see Rafa playing some more tennis Where and when? This I don’t know yet, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to be competing next year.”
The US Open returns solely to Sky Sports and NOW with feeds to all courts from 28th August.