The fire still burns but the body suffers more than ever. Very convincing during his first two matches of the year this week at the Brisbane tournament, the former world number 1 proved that he still had the ability – if his physique is willing – to perform at the highest level. Problem: if the heart and the tennis are still there, the body has difficulty keeping up. Beaten by Jordan Thompson after a terrible duel lasting 3 hours 25 minutes (5-7, 7-6, 6-3), the 37-year-old champion clearly felt pain in his left hip towards the end of his quarter-final. operated last June and because of which he missed almost the entire 2023 season.
“I hope it’s nothing serious and that I can train next week and play in Melbourne for the Australian Open (January 14 to 28), he declared hotly. Because I know that after a year it is difficult for the body to play tournaments at the highest level. You never know how the body will react. To be honest, I’m not 100 % sure about anything yet. It’s towards the same area as last year, but the feeling is different. I feel more discomfort in the muscle; last year, it was at the tendon level. I have to see how I wake up tomorrow…” Because, if losing such a fight after a year spent away from the courts is not shameful, this physical alert questions the Majorcan’s abilities to become a 100% tennis player again. .
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The winner of 22 Grand Slam titles had not played singles since his defeat in the second round of the Australian Open, on January 18, 2023, against the American Mackenzie McDonald. During his first two matches back, he gave the impression of never having stopped. He had tamed Dominic Thiem, former top 3 in the world, but fell to 98th place (7-5, 6-1) and swept aside Jason Kubler, 102nd in the world (6-1, 6-2). Friday, in the quarterfinals against the Australian Thompson, 55th in the world, the veteran drew on his reserves against a player who was having a very good day and was much more consistent than his previous opponents. Having come very close to a third success in a row during the second set by missing three match points during the decisive game, the king of Roland-Garros may harbor regrets. But it is his grimaces at the end of the match, this closed, sad face, and those worried about those close to him in his box that will remain. His current ranking (672nd) means nothing, the “Bull of Manacor” always sends his forehand lassos and devilish cross backhands. But more than his tennis level, it was his body’s ability to put together matches that was scrutinized by Brisbane. And his physical alert at the end of the match does not reassure the many skeptics. “What is important is that the operation on the iliopsoas muscle (muscle of the ventral girdle, editor’s note) and the hip no longer bothers me,” assured the Majorcan after his 2nd match. To confirm. One thing is certain: Nadal is still hungry. But the specter of a hip relapse already looms…
