Rafael Nadal made his return to the Brisbane tournament after nearly a year of absence. The Spanish tennis star reached the quarterfinals but faced a setback as he experienced a micro tear in the muscle around his problematic left hip. Consequently, Nadal had to withdraw from the Australian Open.
There are speculations that Nadal might return to the court in a few weeks, with rumours suggesting his participation in the ATP 250 tournament in Doha. The 2014 Doha champion had to miss the event last year due to an injury.
Having been a part of eight Doha campaigns between 2005 and 2016, Nadal won the tournament in 2014, reached the final in 2010, and secured his only trophy in the desert by defeating Gael Monfils four years later. Despite reaching the final again in 2016, he faced a quick defeat against Novak Djokovic in just over an hour.
Considering a potential return to Doha after eight years, Nadal’s participation might depend on whether he opts for the hard court and skips the South American clay swing. In the 2023 season, Nadal began as the world No. 2 but faced challenges, including a severe hip injury during the Australian Open, leading to his exit. After undergoing surgery and a period of recovery, Nadal showed positive signs during his comeback in Brisbane at the beginning of 2024.
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