Rafael Nadal has shared a video on his Instagram account showing a glimpse of his practice session
Rafael Nadal’s recent Instagram post description was basic, but the video that accompanied the social media post will no doubt excite the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s supporters – as well as tennis enthusiasts in general.
The footage of Nadal hitting powerful tennis shots on a practice court will be a good sight for the sport, as it is yet another hint that he is getting closer to returning to the sport.
It’s the first time Nadal has released a photo or video of himself playing tennis on social media in nearly six months; the last photos of him playing tennis were in April before he had hip surgery in June.
He released a 15-second video of a practice session at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca on Wednesday, and there was no holding back in some of the shots, nor did he appear to be in any discomfort.
Nadal hasn’t played a competitive match since January 18, when his Australian Open title defense ended in the second round with a three-set loss to Mackenzie McDonald.
That was a bad day for the Spaniard, who also suffered a hip injury, despite the fact that he was hoping for a quick return to action. The injury, however, was far more serious than first feared, and he was forced to retire from Roland Garros.
His withdrawal from the French Open was accompanied by a news conference in which he stated that the 2024 season will most likely be his final as a professional player. The 37-year-old underwent surgery in June, and doctors predicted he would be out of commission for at least five months.
There were rumors that he may return to competition in November for the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, but Spain’s failure to qualify ended such rumors.
He recently stated that the Australian Open in 2024 is his primary goal, but he also cautioned the tennis world not to demand too much too soon.
“I would like to play again and be competitive again, but the dream is not to come back and win Roland Garros or win Australia so that people don’t get confused, right?” he said.
“I am very aware that at the time I am in my life, all that is very far away, right? And I don’t say it’s impossible because, in the end, I say things, I have said it a thousand times, all things in sport, they change very quickly.”
