Rafael Nadal ended his almost year-long injury layoff by defeating former world number three Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-1 in the Brisbane International opening round on Tuesday.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion strained his left hip flexor in early 2023 after losing to Mackenzie McDonald in the Australian Open second round. Arthroscopic surgery was needed in June of that year. In his first matchback of the season, Nadal lost terribly in doubles against retired veteran Marc Lopez on Sunday, but he played well in front of the Melbourne Park major on January 14–28.
“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career,” he said. “I had the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play at a very positive level on the first day, which is something that makes us feel proud—my team and family who have been there every day in the last year.”
The 37-year-old again excelled in their repeat of the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals against qualifier Thiem. He improved and broke to take the first set.
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Rafael Nadal broke through with a backhand pass early in the second set, sending the Pat Rafter Arena wild. He never looked back, winning 5-1 with a serve.
“I missed being healthy and feeling competitive, playing in front of full crowds that have been amazing all my career here in Australia,” remarked Nadal. “I can’t thank everyone enough.”
Rafael Nadal’s 1,069th men’s tour win lifted him beyond Ivan Lendl to fourth all-time. “As you can imagine, today it wasn’t a statistic I was aware of,” he said. “I had to focus and relearn how to play competitively. Before the competition, doubt and anxiousness existed. It went smoothly, and I’m glad to be back.
Victoria Azarenka defeated Anna Kalinskaya 6-1 7-6(8), and Arina Rodionova defeated Sofia Kenin 7-5 7-6(7) in the women’s draw. To start her season, 19-year-old U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff defeated Claire Liu, another American, 6-4, 6-2.
Gauff, hoping to improve on his Melbourne Park performance from the fourth round last year, will face 117th-ranked Brenda Fruhvirtova, who defeated Anna Blinkova 7-5, 6-4.
Emma Raducanu defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse in the 2021 U.S. Open after wrist and ankle surgery. 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Second seed Elina Svitolina defeated Caroline Wozniacki 6-4, 6-3.
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