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Rafael Nadal has shared the news that all fans have been waiting for: his official return to the ATP Tour, although he has not yet revealed when and where he will take to the court for 2024. Jim Courier, however, expressed some doubts about the Spanish tennis player’s comeback.
The 4-time former North American Slam winner fears that Nadal could emulate Roger Federer’s last season. Below I report the words shared by Courier to Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast: “What you hope not to see is what happened to Roger Federer.
You know Roger really worked hard to get back, he was ready, then it was one bad move and one little slip: that was really the end of it for him. Even then Federer’s greatness allowed him to get into the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.
I just hope we don’t get that kind of scenario again. But any view of Rafa back on a court, especially at the Roland Garros, would be welcome.”
Courier has doubts, but Nadal reassured fans
Nadal never wanted to say anything about recovery times and his possible return to the court, also denying Australian Open director Craig Tiley’s statement regarding his participation in the Australian Slam in 2024.
The Spaniard revealed that his rehabilitation is well underway and the moment of returning to the circuit is approaching: “Until now I didn’t know if I would ever play tennis again and now I think I will. What has changed from a few weeks ago to now is that I now know that I will play tennis again.
I didn’t know it before, but now, honestly, I know I will because evolution is good. Giant strides have been made lately. I’m not ready to say where yet. When I know, I’ll be the first to say it. I don’t know what level I will be able to return to, but I have never lost my enthusiasm.
I haven’t played for a year and for me personal success, which is more powerful than general success, is maintaining the illusion of playing again. I know it will be difficult to find a high level of tennis again, but if I didn’t have the illusion of being competitive again, I wouldn’t have done the work I’ve done in recent months and the effort it takes after a very long career.
I won’t win any more Grand Slams than Djokovic, but I will give myself the chance to have fun again.”
