Rafael Nadal edges closer to incredible Novak Djokovic record after ATP Tour comeback win
Rafael Nadal has only been back on the ATP Tour for one match after a year away due to injury, but he is already rewriting the record books once again.
Nadal returned from his year-long injury absence with a bang by winning an engrossing first-round battle with Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International.
The 22-time grand slam champion had not played since damaging his hip during a second-round match at the 2023 Australian Open.
But, with this year’s Melbourne major on the horizon, he gave a timely reminder of his talents with a box-office performance en route to an impressive 7-5 6-1 success in an hour and 29 minutes.
“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career without a doubt,” Nadal said on court following the victory.
“To have the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play at a very positive level is something that probably makes us feel proud – myself, all the team, family that have been there every single day during the last year.
“I missed being healthy, I missed feeling myself competitive and playing in front of full crowds like this.
“Things went well and I’m excited to be back again tomorrow.
“I don’t know how competitive I am, I have been away for too long,” added Nadal. “I have received thousands of messages all this year from people wishing me well and having a great team around me has always helped.
“I was focused to be on court and to try and remember how to play in a competitive, professional match. I had nerves before the match and, of course, some doubts because I have been away for so long.”
Ahead of his long-awaited comeback, Nadal said it was “impossible” for him to contemplate winning tournaments.
There was little between the pair in the opening set before the Spaniard sealed a decisive break of serve by capitalising on his fourth set point.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal reveals his emotional journey as he makes his ATP Tour comeback in Brisbane
Austrian Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, had barely put a foot wrong at that stage but was quickly facing an early exit.
Nadal backed up seizing the initiative by asserting his authority in the contest with another break of serve early in the second set.
The 37-year-old, who underwent hip surgery last summer, then won four of the next five games to secure a statement victory at the end of his lengthy spell on the sidelines.
He will face either Russian eighth seed Aslan Karatsev or Australian wildcard Jason Kubler in round two and already he is setting new records after just one win back on tour.
Nadal’s win over Thiem saw him move to 1,069 match wins in his professional career, which moved him up to No 4 on the all-time list, ahead of tennis great Ivan Lendl.
Here is the top ten list of players who have achieved the most singles wins in tour level events:
1. Jimmy Conners – 1,274
2. Roger Federer – 1,251
3. Novak Djokovic – 1,089
4. Rafael Nadal – 1,069
5. Ivan Lendl – 1,068
6. Guillermo Vilas – 951
7. Ille Nastase – 908
8. John McEnroe – 883
9. Andre Agassi – 870
10. Stefan Edberg – 801
Nadal could also improve his match percentage win rate, which is second only to Novak Djokovic in the all-time list:
1. Novak Djokovic – 1089–213 (83.6%)
2. Rafael Nadal – 1069–220 (82.9%)
3. Bjorn Borg – 654–140 (82.4%)
4. Roger Federer – 1251–275 (82%)
5. Jimmy Connors – 1274–283 (81.8%)
6. John McEnroe – 883–198 (81.7%)
7. Ivan Lendl – 1068–242 (81.5%)
8. Rod Laver – 576–146 (79.8%)
9. Pete Sampras – 762–222 (77.4%)
10. Boris Becker – 713–214 (76.9%)
