Rafael Nadal loses first match in Brisbane return, makes admission about his comeback

Ewan West
Rafael Nadal Brisbane
Rafael Nadal hits a backhand in Brisbane

Rafael Nadal was beaten in the opening round of the doubles event at the 2024 Brisbane International in his first match after almost a year out of action. 

The 37-year-old legend teamed up with his friend and coach Marc Lopez and the Spanish pair fell 4-6, 4-6 to the Australian duo of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.

Nadal and Lopez, who received a wildcard entry for the doubles event, were broken once in each set and were unable to create a break opportunity in the service games of their opponents.

The pair were partners at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where they won a gold medal for Spain in the men’s doubles tournament.

Lopez, who joined Nadal’s coaching team in 2021, had not played since the 2022 Madrid Open, after which he announced his retirement from tennis.

Nadal had not competed since suffering a hip injury in his second round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open in January. The former world No 1 underwent surgery to address the issue in June.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will face former US Open winner Dominic Thiem in the first round of the singles draw at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane.

READ MORE: Rafael Nadal handed blockbuster Brisbane International draw against a familiar rival

Thompson, who has lost twice to Nadal on the singles court including at the 2022 French Open, gave his thoughts on beating Nadal in doubles.

“It’s great to see Rafa back. I’ve been on the receiving end a couple times in singles. So it’s nice to get him back on the doubles court. I actually said at the shake of hands that [playing him at] Roland Garros was a pleasure but it wasn’t fun,” the 29-year-old said.

Speaking ahead of his appearance in Brisbane, Nadal reiterated he could not yet give a definitive answer as to whether 2024 would be the final season of his career.

“The problem about saying it’s going to be my last season is that I can’t predict what’s going on 100 per cent in the future. That’s why I say ‘probably’,” he said in a press conference.

“It’s obvious it’s a high percentage [chance] that it’s going to be my last time playing in Australia. But if I’m here next year, don’t tell me, ‘you said it’s going to be your last season’, because I didn’t say it.

“You never know what’s going on, you know? I can’t predict how I’m going to be in the next six months. I can’t predict if my body will allow me to enjoy tennis as much as I enjoyed the past 20 years.”

READ MORE: Top analyst ‘convinced’ Rafael Nadal will ‘win big titles again’ but expresses one ‘doubt’

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