Spain’s Rafael Nadal performs a backhand in his match towards Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the course of the 2024 Brisbane International, in Brisbane on January 2, 2024| Photo Credit: Bradley Kanaris

Rafael Nadal received his first match again from a year-long harm layoff when he defeated former US Open champion Dominic Thiem on the Brisbane International on January 2, calling it an “emotional and important day”.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner regarded in excellent contact with a medical 7-5, 6-1 victory over the Austrian in entrance of a full home at Pat Rafter Arena.

The 37-year-old Spaniard has not performed singles since a second-round loss on the Australian Open final 12 months, present process two rounds of hip surgical procedure.

“Today, honestly, is an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career, without a doubt,” he stated.

“To have the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd, and play I think at a very positive level for the first day is something that makes us feel proud.

“For myself, all the team and my family who have been there every single day during the last year.”

The lengthy layoff raised fears that his profession might be over, however Nadal stated this week he was all the time decided to make it again for the 2024 season.

He conceded earlier than the match there was “a high percentage” that it might be his final season, however left the door open to play on ought to his physique maintain up.

“I missed being healthy, I missed feeling competitive and to play in front of full crowds like this,” he added courtside after beating Thiem in 89 minutes.

“Crowds in Australia all my career have been an amazing support for me. I can’t thank everyone enough.”

Nadal frolicked at his academy in Kuwait to arrange for the Australian summer season and skilled there with fast-rising French teen Arthur Fils.

He regarded like he had by no means been away as he misplaced solely six factors on serve all through the match and made few unforced errors in an virtually good show towards a high quality opponent.

Former world quantity three Thiem, who has had harm considerations of his personal, got here by qualifying to make the principle draw and matched Nadal all through the primary set.

But at 6-5 and with the set trying sure to go to a tiebreak, Nadal stepped up the stress on Thiem’s serve, forcing a sequence of errors and ultimately successful the set when a Thiem forehand sailed lengthy.

Nadal then seized the benefit, holding his serve to like after which breaking Thiem to take a 2-0 lead within the second set.

The Austrian’s head then appeared to drop as Nadal lifted even additional, wrapping up the match simply.

“I think the first set was very equal, both of us serving well and then I was able to have that break for 6-5,” he stated.

“I know Dominic has been going through hard times with injuries too, so happy to see him on court, wish him all the very best for the season.”

Earlier, fifth-seeded American Sebastian Korda and Argentinian sixth seed Sebastian Baez each crashed out.

Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann downed Korda 7-5, 6-4 whereas Baez misplaced to Lukas Klein, with the Slovakian qualifier successful 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Australian qualifier James Duckworth additionally loved a superb win by ousting American JJ Wolf 6-3, 6-4.

In the ladies’s draw, former world primary Victoria Azarenka got here again from second set jitters to see off Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 7-6 (10/8), whereas Sofia Kenin, a former Australian Open winner, was surprised by Australian wildcard Arina Rodionova 7-5, 7-6 (9/7)