Goran Ivanisevic is already “convinced” that Rafael Nadal will be a dangerous prospect when he returns to the tennis tour next year. Novak Djokovic’s coach claimed that the Spaniard wouldn’t be making a comeback if he wasn’t ready to get back to his best. And Ivanisevic looks forward to seeing Djokovic and Nadal continue their rivalry for at least another year.
Nadal has been sidelined since he picked up an injury at the Australian Open. After a failed comeback for the clay season, he shut down his season and later underwent hip surgery. The 37-year-old has since been back on the practice court, upping the intensity with the intention of returning in 2024.
While the 22-time Grand Slam champion has downplayed his expectations and admitted that he is unsure how competitive he will be, Ivanisevic believes that Nadal will be dangerous when it comes to his most successful tournament – the French Open. “I am convinced that Nadal will be good,” Djokovic’s coach told Sportske.
“He would not come back if he did not feel ready, and I am convinced that he will be dangerous in Roland Garros.” Ivanisevic’s comments come after the Australian Open prematurely announced Nadal’s comeback for January.
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Tournament director Craig Tiley claimed that the former world No 1 would be making his comeback in Melbourne at the start of 2024 but Nadal was forced to shut him down, explaining that he still had no set return date. Ivanisevic is still hoping to see the Spaniard back on a match court as soon as possible.
He added: “I also agree that this is the best news for world tennis at the moment. If he comes back.” But the 2001 Wimbledon champion knew that announcements meant nothing until they came from Nadal himself, after which the 37-year-old could renew his rivalry with Djokovic.
“All this is good, but we still have to wait for Nadal to say it. Only then can we be sure of a return and, at least for another year, the continuation of the great rivalry,” the Croat said. Nadal recently explained why he still couldn’t commit to a specific comeback date despite making a return to the practice court, where he has been upping the intensity in recent weeks.
“My first realistic option to be back on the professional court would be January in Australia, but right now, I really can’t confirm something I don’t know,” the 92-time title winner said during an event at Madrid’s Museo del Traje.
“Nothing has changed in the last few weeks except for the fact that I’m training a bit more than before, which is an accomplishment for me and my mental health. I’m on the right path but I’m in unknown territory because it’s an injury I haven’t had before. Even so, I’m still looking forward to it. I wish I could know when I’m coming back but that’s not the case.”
