Despite a hip harm that sidelined the veteran Spaniard for your entire 2023 season, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz anticipate Rafael Nadal to showcase his aggressive greatest on the upcoming Australian Open.
Nadal suffered a muscle situation at Melbourne Park in January that required surgical procedure and can return to Brisbane this weekend earlier than enjoying within the Jan. 14-28 Australian Open, the place he received two of his 22 Grand Slam titles.
The 37-year-old expects to retire in 2024, with a collection of accidents limiting his appearances on the circuit, however has stepped up his coaching in latest weeks.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic stated his nice rival can’t be written off simply but.
“I always expect him to play at his best, to be honest,” Djokovic stated earlier than his 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 defeat by Alcaraz in an exhibition match in Riyadh on Wednesday.
“Many instances they’ve counted him out; they’ve performed that with me as properly. But we have proved them flawed. He’s not the form of participant who will come again to the tour simply to play, as an instance, at a medium stage, play a couple of matches.
“He wants to win titles; he wants to be the best. That’s why he is who he is: a legend of our sport. I’m sure his training and preparation are done with an intention to win a Grand Slam.”
Alcaraz, who has misplaced two of his three conferences with Nadal, stated his compatriot was at 100% after watching movies of him training.
“I hear from other players who practiced with Rafa in these past weeks, and they said he’s going to return to his good level. His top level,” Alcaraz stated.
However, Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, stated final week that whereas Nadal had proven good progress in coaching since recovering from a hip harm, as a coach, he nonetheless worries about how his physique will maintain up in opposition to the trials of Grand Slam tennis.
Source: www.dailysabah.com