Rafael Nadal makes stunning tennis return as Spanish superstar beats Dominic Thiem in straight sets after overcoming career-threatening hip surgery to show he’s still got it
- Rafael Nadal has made a great return to the tennis court
- He defeated Dominic Thiem in straight sets on Tuesday
- Nadal's career was in jeopardy after hip surgery
Rafael Nadal sent an emphatic message to the tennis world on Tuesday as the Spanish superstar took a huge step forward in his return from a career-threatening injury.
The 37-year-old Nadal defeated former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets in his first competitive match in almost a year after being sidelined for much of 2023 with a serious hip problem.
The Spaniard underwent surgery on the injury and there were major concerns over the fan favourite's career, which has seen him win an impressive 22 grand slams.
But Nadal has made a stunning return to the court as he eyes a fairytale 2024, which he has admitted will likely be his last season on the circuit.
The 37-year-old defeated Austrian star Thiem in straight sets to win 7-5, 6-1 at the Brisbane International.
Rafael Nadal made an emphatic return to court on Tuesday evening
The 37-year-old defeated former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in straight sets
Fans got a rare treat in the first round when Nadal and Thiem, who clashed twice in the French Open finals, produced incredible shots to light up the Pat Rafter Arena after two gloomy days of rain.
Playing for the first time since first suffering his hip injury in a crushing second-round defeat at the Australian Open as defending champion against Mackenzie McDonald last January, Nadal came out firing from the start.
He smashed a trademark forehand winner in the first rally of the match, leaving just three points behind serve as he took the opening set with a mix of power and deft touch at the net.
After gaining the first break in the 12th game, the big Spaniard quickly rolled through the second set to show he is still a Grand Slam heavyweight to be reckoned with ahead of the first major of the season which starts in Melbourne in twelve days.
His breathtaking comeback will raise hopes that the powerful Mallorcan will renew his compelling rivalry with 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.
Nadal looked back to his best after a year out with a career-threatening hip injury
The last time he was on court, Nadal was the men's all-time Grand Slam singles title leader with 22 career majors.
But he has since had to watch painfully as Djokovic landed three of four slams in 2023 and moved to 24 national titles of his own.
The race could start again if Nadal can resume the form that helped him capture a second Australian Open title in 2022, and then a stunning 14th French Open trophy five months later, before injury intervened.