Tennis legend Rafael Nadal has been warned why he is not likely to win a Grand Slam in 2024. Nadal has missed nearly all of the 2023 season through injury and has not played since the Australian Open in January.
The Spaniard lost in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round in Melbourne and has not been on the court since, undergoing surgery on a hip injury in June and gradually building up his fitness ever since.
The 37-year-old has previously outlined his determination to return to the court next year, but has also hinted that he could retire from professional tennis at the end of 2024. Nadal began his career nearly 20 years ago, winning the first of his 22 Grand Slam titles at the French Open in 2005.
It remains to be seen if Nadal will return in time to feature at the Australian Open in January. According to a former coach of 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, it would be unlikely to end in a victory, even if that were to happen.
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Rick Macci, who has previously coached Williams, has explained why he does not think Nadal will win another Grand Slam in his career. Nadal last won a major title in 2022 at the French Open, and Macci went on to wish him well for the next stage of his career.
“As far as Rafa coming back, as you get older, you lose a little mobility and people aren’t afraid when they know you’re vulnerable,” Macci told Tennis Infinity.
“There’s not that much difference between the guys at the top and then the next tier, and when they know they have a chance, that’s a whole different thing, even on clay.
“Where before against Rafa, he’s 112-3 on clay [at Roland Garros]. The match was over before it even started. You knew you weren’t gonna beat the guy more than likely.
“So that being said, I wish Rafa all the best, but he’s not at the exact same level he was before so I don’t think he’s a contender to win a [Grand] Slam. I think he can be competitive and I think he’s a rough out for anybody on clay, but it depends on his health.”
After winning last year’s French Open, Nadal held the record for the most Grand Slam men’s singles titles won in the Open Era. That was until Novak Djokovic won three of this year’s Grand Slams to overtake Nadal, with his victory at the U.S. Open the 24th major title of his career.
