Nadal could return to the 2025 Australian Open

According to Australian Open CEO Craig Tiley, Rafael Nadal is open to participating in the 2025 tournament if he is physically fit.

"Nadal could be fine next month and he hasn't ruled out the possibility of playing the 2025 Australian Open," Craig Tiley said on the Australian Open podcast on January 12. According to the CEO, Nadal is unlikely to retire in 2024 and is waiting for his body to give him a signal in the coming months.

Nadal missed the 2024 Australian Open after being injured in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane. Photo: Reuters — Nadal missed the 2024 Australian Open after being injured in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane. Photo: *Reuters*

Nadal withdrew from this year's Australian Open after suffering a muscle tear at the Brisbane International last week. The "King of Clay" played four matches in Australia since the new year, after an 11-month layoff. He said he was eager to play at the Australian Open but did not want to risk his current condition.

Nadal is likely to retire this year, so Australian audiences will hardly have the chance to see him compete again. "I sent him a message saying he was always welcome at the Australian Open. In response, Nadal said he would return if he was still playing and healthy," Tiley added.

Nadal's performance in Australia earlier this year showed he can still play at a high level if fit. Former world number one Mats Wilander said the 37-year-old's injury ahead of the Australian Open was unfortunate but understandable. "Parts of his body are working against him, even though he still has top skills. I hope that positive signs will come in the near future," he said.

Nadal is scheduled to play the US hard court season in March, but plans could change after his latest injury. Nadal's muscle tear is described by Spanish media as not serious and could heal in a week. The 22-time Grand Slam winner will now focus on the clay court season, with Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics as the focus. This is where some Spanish journalists believe Nadal will say goodbye to tennis.

Nadal's absence marks a decline for Spanish tennis at this year's Australian Open. For the first time since 1996, the country has only 11 players in the singles, including seven men and four women. Besides Nadal, junior Pablo Carreno Busta is also injured, while Fernando Verdasco is about to retire, and Feliciano Lopez and Pablo Andujar have hung up their rackets.

Vy Anh

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