Rafael Nadal claimed on Wednesday that he will be “competitive” when he returns to professional tennis next month after missing nearly a year due to injuries.
After suffering from a hip issue, the 22-time Grand Slam champion underwent surgery twice in 2023.
He has stated that next year will most likely be his final season before retiring, and he confirmed last week that he will make a comeback at the Australian Open warm-up event in Brisbane, which takes place from January 1-7.
“I don’t know at what level (he will play at), I don’t know what to expect, I have no idea, but I don’t care right now,” Nadal said in a video posted on social media.
“I’m just happy to be back and with great excitement to make the effort that is necessary to have fun and I believe that I will be competitive.”
Nadal last competed in the Australian Open in January, where he was defeated in the second round by American MacKenzie McDonald.
He had wanted to come back in time for the clay-court season at Roland Garros, where he is a 14-time French Open winner, but his season had to be cut short.
The 37-year-old Spaniard has slipped to 664th in the world rankings while sidelined.
“It’s been a long year in which I’ve gone through many phases, from trying to get back to compete at the clay season, week after week, disappointment after disappointment,” said the former world number one.
“Of course I have had many doubts, of course there were moments where it seemed impossible that this moment would come, but we’ve maintained the work, spirit and hope and I think I am ready.”
Nadal is a two-time Australian Open champion, in 2009 and 2022.
He has slipped behind old rival Novak Djokovic in the all-time list of Grand Slam singles titles, as the Serb won three this year in his absence to take his tally to a record 24.
“I have finally had good training weeks at a level that allows me to have the possibility to compete again,” added Nadal.
“I have gone through many phases, but today I think it’s time — I’m coming back in a tournament that I’ve played in the past, that I’m familiar with…
“I know it’s a difficult tournament but I hope to be ready to compete, I don’t aspire to anything else but to be competitive.”