Rafael Nadal impressed on his long-awaited return after nearly a 12 months out with harm as he beat Dominic Thiem on the Brisbane Worldwide.
The 37-year-old, contesting his first singles match since a second-round loss on the Australian Open 349 days in the past, sealed a 7-5 6-1 win.
Spain’s 22-time Grand Slam champion has indicated this season will probably be the final of his illustrious profession.
Wildcard Nadal is utilizing the match to arrange for the Australian Open.
The primary Grand Slam of the 12 months begins on 14 January in Melbourne.
“At this time is an emotional day,” Nadal mentioned. “It has been one of many hardest years of my tennis profession.”
He added: “I had nerves earlier than the match, and naturally doubts after such a very long time, however issues went effectively and I’m excited to be again.”
Nadal begins comeback in attainable remaining 12 months
The final time Nadal was seen in singles motion he struggled with harm as he misplaced to Mackenzie McDonald on the 2023 Australian Open.
He had an operation on his left hip in June and has has since slipped to 672nd on this planet rankings.
Nadal started his comeback by partnering compatriot Marc Lopez in a doubles loss to Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in Brisbane on Sunday, two days earlier than his first singles check.
At occasions on Tuesday, it appeared as if Nadal had by no means been away.
He set the tone by successful 21 of his opening 24 factors on serve, displaying ability, poise and athleticism to the delight of the expectant night crowd.
Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion who has had his personal harm issues, had come by means of his first 5 service video games with none scares. However Nadal, with famed depth and reassuringly sharp motion, seized his alternative within the twelfth sport – taking his fourth break level to wrap up the primary set.
He maintained that momentum firstly of the second set, securing love holds both facet of breaking the Austrian’s serve for a second time as he opened a 3-0 lead.
A fading Thiem managed to finish the run of video games in opposition to him however he was unable to stop Nadal securing one other break for a commanding 5-1 benefit.
When he secured the victory, Nadal raised his arms and thanked the group as they celebrated a second of nice significance with him.
He mentioned in Could, after being compelled to overlook the French Open for the primary time in 19 years, that 2024 will “most likely” be the ultimate 12 months of his profession.
However, following his doubles return in Brisbane, he mentioned his want to play on stays robust and he didn’t need to say “100%” that this season can be his final.
Previous to his harm, Nadal was stage with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic for the report variety of males’s main triumphs, however Djokovic went on to win final 12 months’s French Open and US Open to maneuver to 24 Grand Slam titles.