Rafael Nadal’s team issue response to claims he will return at Australian Open

Shahida Jacobs 11 Oct 2023 2:04 PM

Rafael Nadal disappointed

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley “exclusively” revealed on Wednesday that Rafael Nadal will take part in next year’s tournament, but the Spaniard’s team have issued a statement following the announcement.

Tiley sent the tennis world into overdrive as he confirmed that he had spoken to Nadal in recent days and it is all systems go for the Spaniard to play at season-opening hard-court Grand Slam in 2024.

“We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,” the Tennis Australia chief declared.

“He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back.”

The news was naturally welcomed by the tennis community as Nadal has been absent from the ATP Tour since the start of the 2023 season as he played only four matches before picking up a serious hip injury, which required surgery in June.

READ MORE: Australian Open boss delivers huge ‘exclusive’ Rafael Nadal news

With Nadal also confirming during his extended period on the sidelines that the 2024 season will likely be his final campaign as a professional tennis player, the news that he is about to return to action was welcomed by the wider sporting community.

However, the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s manager Benito Perez-Barbadillo has issued a cautious response as he insisted that there is no clear return date for the Spaniard.

“We have seen the reports and comments but as of today we wouldn’t be able to confirm,” he said.

“Definitely we don’t know yet. Too early to say. We have definitely not released any date because we simply don’t know it. Rafa is just starting to practice.”

Tiley even went as far as stating that Nadal won’t “just show up to play” at the 2024 Australian Open as he will “show up to win” the tournament.

“He’s not going to come into the event unless he thinks he can win it,” he said. “He’s not going to just show up to play, he’s going to show up to win. I called him. We stay in touch.

“You always get your hopes up because you want people like Rafa to be here. He particularly is someone who loves Australia.

“So far the early signs have been really good.”

But for now, it remains a case of wait and see as the Spaniard is clearly not yet ready to commit to any tournaments, let alone a Grand Slam.