Tennis great Rafael Nadal on Monday opened up on his comeback to the Tennis circuit after a year. The 22-time Grand Slam champion will make his return to the men’s tour for the first time in exactly one year when he headlines the Brisbane International from December 31st to January 7th.
Nadal sustained a hip injury in the second set of his second-round Australian Open match against Mackenzie McDonald and has not played since, dropping his ranking to world No. 663. He announced his return with a short video on December 1.
Rafael Nadal: I hope to feel those nerves again
On Monday, Nadal opened up on his decision to return to the Tennis circuit after the injury. In a video on Instagram, Nadal talked about enjoying moments on the pitch and not having too high expectations from himself.
“I have been afraid to announce things, because in the end it has been a year without competing and the hip operation. But what worries me most is not the hip, its everything else. I think I’m ready. I trust and hope everything will go well,” Nadal said in the video.
“It gives me the opportunity to enjoy myself on the court. It’s been a long time so first of all, I hope to feel those nerves again, that illusion, those fears, those doubts. I expect from myself not expect anything, that is the truth,” Nadal said.
The Tennis great acknowledged the challenges of coming back to the court after year, and said he will forgive himself if things go south in the beginning.
Also Read: Rafael Nadal’s Last Dance! 22-time major champ to start his final season in Australia
“(I would want) to have the ability not to demand myself what I’ve demanded myself throughout my career. I believe I am in a different moment, different situation and in an unexplored terrain. Want to give myself the necessary time and forgive myself if things go wrong in the beginning, which is a very big possibility,” Nadal concluded.
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