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Feliciano Lopez has offered some new updates on Rafael Nadal\u2019s return from injury. The 37-year-old hasn\u2019t played a match since January this year and underwent surgery three months ago. But Lopez assured tennis fans that they would see the 22-time Grand Slam champion back in action next year as his rehab was progressing well. And he noted the tournaments that Nadal could choose to play.<\/p>\n
Nadal has been absent from the tennis tour this season after picking up a left psoas injury at the Australian Open. The Spaniard originally tried to mount a comeback for the clay season before conceding that his treatment plans weren\u2019t working. He then called a press conference, announcing that he would return in 2024 for what would likely be the final year of his career.<\/p>\n
The former world No 1 also underwent arthroscopic hip surgery on the eve of his 37th birthday in June and little has been known of his recovery and comeback plans since. But one of Nadal\u2019s compatriots gave an encouraging update on his positive progress and speculated over his possible schedule for 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very difficult to say now,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cFirst of all, he needs to finish the rehab, he is now on the rehab process and everything’s going well so far. But I think it’s gonna be up to him by the end of the season and also it’s going to be, in my opinion, depending on how is he feeling. If he feels that he’s ready to compete, at the best level, he’s going to give himself the opportunity to compete.\u201d<\/p>\n
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/strong><\/p>\n Just in <\/strong> US Open outfit change causes fury as angry opponent vents at umpire[LATEST] <\/strong><\/p>\n The former world No 12 continued to throw up the clay season as Nadal\u2019s most obvious choice to return to competition. And Lopez warned the rest of the tour that the 22-time Major winner could still be very dangerous if he was fit. He continued: \u201cBut I don’t know if he’s going to go for the full season or if maybe he’s going to play only the clay.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be depending on how is he feeling. But if there is one thing I know, you can never underestimate Rafa, because if he’s physically okay, let’s say 80, 90 per cent, I think he’s still going to be able to challenge the best players in the world still now.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Rafa, you can never make a prediction because he’s the one who is able to surprise everyone, even in difficult situations. As well as the clay season, Lopez said the Olympic Games could be a possibility for the 37-year-old as the tennis tournament will be held at the French Open site, Nadal\u2019s most successful stage.<\/p>\n Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> \u201cBut it’s very difficult to predict at the moment because the most important thing now is for him is to be fully recovered,\u201d he added. Either way, Lopez was confident that Nadal could find some form next year after seeing promising signs following his hip surgery. \u201cI’m sure he’s going to be able to compete at a very decent level next year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe plan is to be fully recovered. When I saw Rafa last time, he came for my last tournament in Mallorca and he was looking great, to be honest. It was only a few weeks after the surgery and he was looking great, he was working perfectly and he was feeling healthy and everything is going great so far.\u201d<\/p>\n As for the Australian Open, Lopez was uncertain. \u201cI think it’s very early to make a realistic plan of where is he going to play and when is he going to start playing. But by the end of the year, I think he’s going to be fully recovered. So far, everything’s going great. So maybe Australia is too early. Maybe he doesn’t want play in Australia because maybe he wants to focus only on the clay season.\u201d<\/p>\n Regardless of the schedule, Lopez had good news for Nadal\u2019s fans as he assured them that they would see their man back in action next season. The Spaniard concluded: \u201cI think everything is going great. For all of the tennis fans around the world, I think they’re going to have another opportunity to see Rafa playing some more tennis Where and when? This I don’t know yet, but I’m pretty sure he’s going to be competing next year.\u201d<\/p>\n The US Open returns exclusively to Sky Sports and NOW with feeds to all courts from 28th<\/sup>\u00a0August.<\/i><\/p>\n Source: Read Full Article<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/72\/590x\/secondary\/4947184.jpg?r=1694040915051\")
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