Rafael Nadal makes impressive winning return in Brisbane after ‘toughest year’
Rafael Nadal returned from his year-long injury absence with a bang by winning an engrossing first-round battle with Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International.
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Aruna meets South American champion as World Table Tennis Finals begin
Quadri Aruna. Tim Warner/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Tim Warner / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Rafael Nadal Roars Back With 'Emotional And Important' Win Over Dominic Thiem In Brisbane International
Rafael Nadal won his first match back from a year-long injury layoff when he beat former US Open champion Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International on Tuesday, calling it an "emotional and important day". The 22-time Grand Slam winner looked in superb touch with a clinical 7-5, 6-1 victory over the Austrian in front of a full house at Pat Rafter Arena. He will now play Jason Kubler in the second round after the Australian wildcard progressed when Aslan Karatsev was forced to withdraw injured with the scores locked at one set apiece. The 37-year-old Spaniard had not played singles since a second-round loss at the Australian Open last year, undergoing two rounds of hip surgery.
Rafael Nadal impresses in 'emotional' comeback match in Brisbane
It took all of one point to gauge Rafael Nadal's level on his long-awaited comeback to tournament tennis.
Nadal happy to overcome fear after surgery with victory in comeback match
Rafa Nadal was elated to return to professional tennis on Tuesday after nearly a year on the sidelines but the Spaniard said recovering his confidence and natural movements on the court would take time.
Rafael Nadal marks return with dominant win over Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International
Rafael Nadal returned from his year-long injury absence with a bang by winning an engrossing first-round battle with Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International.
Nadal returns with win in Brisbane in 1st competitive singles match in a year
The longest time off tour in his professional career made Rafael Nadal much more nervous than usual ahead of his first competitive match in almost 12 months.
Novak Djokovic Sparks Serb Celebration In The Midnight Hour
Novak Djokovic got the party started for 2024 as he sealed a 2-1 win for Serbia over China near the stroke of midnight on Sunday at the United Cup in Perth. The world number one kicked off the new season by teaming up in mixed doubles with compatriot and longtime friend Olga Danilovic to hold off Zheng Qinwen and ATP number 58 Zhang Zhizhen for a 6-4, 1-6, 10-6 victory. Glancing at his watch after his on-court interview, Djokovic then implored the house DJ to fill in for five minutes before leading the RAC stadium crowd in a rousing countdown to the midnight hour.