Australian Open CEO ‘certain’ Rafael Nadal will play in tournament
Australian Open chief executive Craig Tiley has revealed he is “certain” Rafael Nadal will be at next year’s tournament, but seems less certain about Nick Kyrgios.
Nadal has been out of action since losing to Mackenzie MacDonald in the second round of the Melbourne Open last year, where he tore his psoas.
After undergoing arthroscopic surgery in June, Nadal has focused on his recovery as he admitted it could be the last season of his career next year.
And Nadal, now ranked No. 662, told the ATP Tour last month that his training had picked up, “I’m fine, training and happy. I am in a good phase of my life.
“Until now I didn’t know if I would ever play tennis again, and now I really believe I will. I’m not ready to say when yet, but I can train more and more and the progress is good.”
Australian Open CEO Tiley had previously “announced” Nadal’s participation, but the two-time champion quickly shut down those rumours.
I appreciate the vote of confidence from the Australian Open… I’m training every day and working hard to come back as soon as possible 💪🏻😉
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 11, 2023
However, Tiley has since told Reuters News that he has been in close contact with Nadal and is very confident, despite his early announcement: “Rafa is training, I’m watching him closely, probably every day because he’s a huge card for us.
“He wants to play, obviously he plans to play. It all depends on how he gets up. Hopefully in the next week or two, we’ll get some concrete confirmation of that. I’m sure Rafa will be here because he won’t want to miss the chance to repeat what he did a few years ago.”
Kyrgios is another player who has missed most of the 2023 season due to injury, having played just one competitive match.
The Australian underwent knee surgery in January and ruptured a ligament in his wrist before Wimbledon, which has seen him drop completely out of the ATP rankings.
Tiley admitted Kyrgios is working to return to the Australian Open, but suggested the 2022 Wimbledon finalist could do something else at the tournament.
“We’ve spoken to Nick and obviously he wants to do his best to give him the best chance to play in January,” Tiley said.
He added: “Whether he’s playing or doing something else, Nick will be here in January and it will be great to get him to play. But we have to take it as it comes and he has to make sure he takes care of his health.”
Kyrgios recently began his commentary career for the Tennis Channel at the ATP Finals, and it is unclear whether he will continue that at the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, January 14.
Kygs is here!! 🥳@NickKyrgios gives his injury update, previews the 2023 ATP season and predicts Zverev-Medvedev!#ATPFinals pic.twitter.com/8E5WPyvTLW
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 15, 2023
Inside the baseline…
All signs for Rafael Nadal are looking positive at the moment, however the Spaniard seems to be staying tight-lipped until he gets some firm confirmation on his return date. As for Nick Kyrgios, he has revealed that he is working towards a comeback but until the Australian Open entry list is announced it all looks very unclear at the moment.
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