(Brisbane) Famous tennis player Rafael Nadal appeared in good physical condition on Tuesday during his return to competition after a year of absence.
The 37-year-old Spaniard won his first match against former world number three Dominic Thiem in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1 at the Brisbane International, Australia.
“It’s honestly an important and emotional day for me,” Nadal said. And to play at a positive level on my first day is something that makes me proud.
“This has been my longest period without a professional tournament since I started my tennis career. It’s a great feeling to come back to the game.”
The winner of 22 grand slam tournaments had not played a single match at the elite level since his elimination in the second round of the Australian Open last January. He had to undergo lengthy rehabilitation following a hip injury.
The veteran left-hander made only six unforced errors on Tuesday and lost only three points on his serve in the first set. He clinched the victory in 89 minutes.
Rafael Nadal, who was ranked No. 672 in the ATP rankings on Tuesday, said the last 12 months had been among the most difficult of his professional career. After the match, he maintained that this day was emotional and important for him.
“You go out on the field and you’re more nervous than usual because you’re at the end of your rehabilitation. You hope to play at that level because deep down you know it could be a disaster. That worried me,” Nadal explained.
The Spaniard will now meet Australian Jason Kubler, who took advantage of Aslan Karatsev’s retirement to advance to the next round.
Play on the outfields was interrupted by rain for a second straight day, but was held at Patrick Rafter Arena, which is covered. In the first result of the day, the German Yannick Hanfmann, 51e in the world, defeated fifth-seeded Sebastian Korda 7-5, 6-4.
Hanfmann will face Jordan Duckworth, who triumphed 6-3, 6-4 against JJ Wolf.
In the women’s draw, Sofia Kenin, the winner of the Australian Open in 2020, was defeated in two sets of 7-5, 7-6 (7) by Arina Rodionova in the second round.
Kenino 14) was constantly under pressure on his serve despite good chances during the two sets against Rodionova.
Victoria Azarenka, another former Brisbane International and Australian Open champion, was broken twice while serving for the match before finally converting her fifth match point. She won 6-1, 7-6 (8) over Anna Kalinskaya.
“The first matches are never easy to finish,” Azarenka said. There are definitely a few things to work on, but I’m pretty happy with a first win. »