Rafael Nadal has had a two-faced season. The Spanish champion left everyone speechless in the first months of 2022, proving once again that he is a living legend. The former world number 1 has in fact won the Australian Open and Roland Garros, extending over Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time Grand Slam rankings.
The 36-year-old from Manacor also expressed great tennis on the grass at Wimbledon, but a torn abs prevented him from playing in the semifinal against Nick Kyrgios. That injury also impacted his preparation for the US Open, where he failed to progress beyond the round of 16.
The last tournaments of 2022 did not smile on the Iberian, who left the scene prematurely both in the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 and at the ATP Finals in Turin. Rafa, who has just concluded his South American exhibition tour, will shortly start preparing for the upcoming season.
The Majorcan will be called upon to defend many points in the first part of 2023.
Uncle Toni reflects on Nadal
Toni Nadal has presented this Tuesday the third edition of the Mallorca Championships, which will take place the week before Wimbledon and for which Nick Kyrgios has already been confirmed as well as being in talks with Dominic Thiem.
However, this has not been the only issue that Toni has had to face, who, as is logical, has been asked about his nephew Rafael Nadal, of whom he has commented in a statement collected by the Diario de Mallorca that “recovering his foot thanks to the treatment after Roland Garros has been decisive”, although he has also lamented that “the injury to his abdomen has reduced his regularity”
However, Toni believes that in 2023 the current world number two “will have a great year again” Of course, he also believes that there will be “up to 8 or 10 players fighting for the important titles.”
On Friday, Rafael Nadal bid an emotional farewell to Mexico City – the place where he won his first ATP 500 title way back in February 2005. “It will most likely be the last time I play in Mexico, Acapulco 2023 is not on my calendar and the 2024 season seems far away.
Now is the time to enjoy this moment to the fullest and play in an emblematic setting, with many people and in a country where I have always felt loved,” the Spaniard said. “It is an unforgettable feeling to live in such an environament in Mexico, I can only say thank you for the unconditional support, it is a country that has treated me like another Mexican. It’s hard for me to say goodbye to you,” he added.
