Rafael Nadal’s camp has contradicted claims by the Australian Open that the great Spaniard is sure to return to action at the Grand Slam in January.
Tournament chief Craig Tiley declared on Wednesday that Nadal – who has been injured and not played since Melbourne this year – would be among those making comebacks at the 2024 edition.
‘We can reveal exclusively that Rafa will be back,’ Tiley told Australia’s Today programme as he launched next season’s event. ‘He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about. That’s awesome.’
However, Nadal poured cold water on Tiley’s exciting announcement.
‘I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open,’ he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘I am practising every day and working hard to come back asap.’
Earlier, Nadal’s spokesperson gave a different version to Tiley when asked by Mail Sport. ‘We don’t know anything about his schedule yet,’ he said. ‘We have seen the reports and comments but as of today we wouldn’t be able to confirm. It is too early to say, even for Melbourne.’
He also revealed that the 37 year-old is currently able to practice on court for two hours per day at his academy in Mallorca as he tries to recover from a complex hip injury which has seen him drop out of sight this season.
The 37-year-old hasn’t played since injury ruined his run at another Australian Open title in January this year (pictured)
Nadal has been sidelined by a lingering hip injury and was forced to make an emotional announcement that he would miss this year’s French Open and Wimbledon (pictured)
Nadal’s withdrawal from the clay-court Grand Slam he has won 14 times led to speculation that his incredible career was drawing to a close (pictured playing in the 2023 Australian Open)
After repeatedly withdrawing from events, in September Nadal suggested that he would be focussing everything on trying to be ready for what is likely to be a farewell tour in 2024, having increasingly struggled with the toll injuries have taken upon him.
His particular goals are another shot at the French Open and also the Olympics, which next year will take place at Roland Garros after Wimbledon.
While he would hope to play in Melbourne and other venues where he has thrived, those two will be his main aims.
Tiley was on safer ground in saying that former women’s champions Caroline Wozniacki, Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber will return to Australia after giving birth to their children. Emma Raducanu is also expected to play her first Grand Slam since Melbourne.
The Australian Open boss has form for prematurely announcing the availability of players, only for them to withdraw come January. He claimed Serena Williams would feature in 2018, before she pulled out. Andy Murray also pulled out in 2020 despite Tilley insisting the Scot would play.
The tournament will begin on a Sunday this year and last for fifteen days, with a reduced daytime schedule on the show courts trying to avoid the spill over that has led to insanely late night finishes in the past.
The Spaniard won his 14th French Open men’s singles title in 2022 (pictured) and has said he wants to play in the 2024 Paris Olympics
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