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Rafael Nadal works hard at home in Mallorca, trying to return and extend his career. The veteran trained with the 17-year-old Naoya Honda at his tennis complex, hoping to raise his level in the next couple of months and play competitive tennis again in 2024.
Honda trains at Nadal’s complex in Mallorca, making his first professional steps after claiming last year’s U16 Orange Bowl crown. While Honda is just starting his career, Nadal is giving his best to extend his incredible tennis journey and compete for at least one more year.
Rafa has not played since January, injuring his left hip at the Australian Open and skipping the rest of the season after a surgery. The Spaniard enjoyed a tennis-free summer with his family and friends, recharging batteries and starting the recovery course.
Nadal has been training for weeks, increasing the pace of his training sessions and doing everything to return to action soon.
Rafael Nadal is training at home in Mallorca with the junior from his complex.
While it’s still early for predictions, Rafa will try to recover by next year’s Australian Open, eager to compete at his favorite events in 2024.
Nadal had a great run in the first half of 2022, dealing with injuries but lifting two Major trophies in Melbourne and Paris. The Australian Open crown was the record-breaking 21st one, earning it after one of his greatest-ever comebacks in the final against Daniil Medvedev.
Rafa claimed his 14th Roland Garros title despite requiring pain injections in his foot, taking the pain away and beating seven rivals for a Major crown no. 22. Nadal injured his abdominal muscle at Wimbledon, withdrawing before the semi-final clash against Nick Kyrgios and struggling to recover by the end of the season.
The Spaniard made a slow start in 2023, entering the Australian Open despite slim chances of defending the crown. The Spaniard passed the opening obstacle before losing in the second round, experiencing his earliest Major loss since 2016!
Nadal fell to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5, injuring his hip in the second set and ruining his season already in the first weeks! Like a true champion, Rafa did not want to listen to his team and retire, playing well in the third set and experiencing a late break to end his run in the second round. It remains Nadal’s most recent match, withdrawing from the remaining events and dropping out from the top-200 for the first time since 2003!
