Current:Home > reviewsNadal returns with a win in Brisbane in first competitive singles match in a year -TruePath Finance
Nadal returns with a win in Brisbane in first competitive singles match in a year
View
Date:2025-04-17 16:09:33
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — His arms raised triumphantly, unable to conceal a winner's grin, Rafael Nadal took time to savor a victory that was 12 months and a lot of rehab in the making.
Sure, it was the first round of a season-opening tournament, but it felt momentous for the 22-time major winner because it was only a matter of weeks ago he wasn't certain he'd be ready to return from a long-term hip injury.
The 37-year-old Spaniard showed no signs of rust at the Brisbane International on Tuesday in a 7-5, 6-1 win over Dominic Thiem, who won the U.S. Open in 2020 and has a career-high No. 3 ranking but is making a slow return from injury himself.
“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me,” Nadal said. “And to play at the very positive level on the first day is something that probably makes (me) feel proud.
“It's been the longest period of time without being in a professional tournament since I started my tennis career, so, yeah, it’s an amazing feeling to come back."
Nadal hadn’t played a singles match at the elite level since a second-round exit at the Australian Open last January. The protracted recovery from a surgically repaired hip didn't seem to slow him.
He made just a handful of unforced errors, lost only six points on his serve in the entire match and hit some stunning forehand winners. After making the decisive break at 6-5 in the first set, he dominated the latter stages of the match.
Ranked No. 672 and playing on a wild card in Brisbane, Nadal said the last year had been the toughest of his professional career.
“You go on court and you have more nerves than usual because you (are) really at the end (of rehab and) hope that you’re going to play at this level, but inside yourself you know that (it) can be a disaster and that, of course, worried me.”
He was content with his low error rate, with his game management and with how his body felt after his initial foray back at the top level.
“I didn’t make a lot of bad decisions choosing the shots that I have to play, and that’s something difficult after such a long time,” he said. “Something that I’m happy with.”
Nadal will next play Australian wild card Jason Kubler, who was one set apiece with Aslan Karatsev at 6-4, 6-7 (4) when the No. 8 seed retired injured.
Play on outside courts was interrupted by rain for a second consecutive day but went ahead in the covered Pat Rafter Arena. In the day's first result, No. 51-ranked Yannick Hanfmann of Germany beat fifth-seeded Sebastian Korda 7-5, 6-4.
Hanfmann will next play Jordan Duckworth, a 6-3, 6-4 winner over JJ Wolf.
In the women's draw, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin was upset by No. 113-ranked Arina Rodionova 7-5, 7-6 (7) in the second round.
No. 14-seeded Kenin was constantly under pressure on her serve despite having chances in both sets against Rodionova, a 34-year-old Australian who has never been ranked in the top 100.
Victoria Azarenka, another former Brisbane International and Australian Open champion, was broken twice while serving for the match before finally converting on her fifth match point to beat Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 7-6 (8).
“First matches are never easy to close out,” Azarenka said. “Definitely a few things to work on, but I’m pretty happy with a first win.”
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Jerry Jones turns up heat on Mike McCarthy, sending pointed message to Cowboys coach
- Can 'villain' Colorado Buffaloes overcome Caitlin Clark, Iowa (and the refs)?
- Women’s March Madness highlights: Texas' suffocating defense overwhelms Gonzaga
- California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
- What restaurants are open Easter 2024? Details on Starbucks, McDonald's, fast food, takeout
- Ukraine's Zelenskyy warns Putin will push Russia's war very quickly onto NATO soil if he's not stopped
- Melissa Joan Hart expresses solidarity with Nickelodeon child stars in 'Quiet on Set' docuseries
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- The Daily Money: Sriracha fans say the heat is gone
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- David Beckham welcomes Neymar to Miami. Could Neymar attend Messi, Inter Miami game?
- Last-minute shift change may have saved construction worker from Key Bridge collapse
- At least 5 deaths linked to recalled supplement pill containing red mold
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Bear that injured 5 during rampage shot dead, Slovakia officials say — but critics say the wrong bear was killed
- Love Lives of Selling Sunset: Where Chelsea Lazkani, Christine Quinn & More Stand
- Robot disguised as a coyote or fox will scare wildlife away from runways at Alaska airport
Recommendation
What to watch: O Jolie night
2 Vermont troopers referred to court diversion after charges of reckless endangerment
Long-range shooting makes South Carolina all the more ominous as it heads to Elite Eight
USWNT midfielder apologizes for social media posts after Megan Rapinoe calls out 'hate'
Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
4th person charged in ambush that helped Idaho prison inmate escape from Boise hospital
2nd man pleads not guilty to Massachusetts shooting deaths of woman and her 11-year-old daughter
Kim Kardashian's Son Psalm Shocks Fans With Grown Up Appearance in New Video