Former Spain player Feliciano Lopez is optimistic that Rafael Nadal will make a strong comeback to the tour in 2024. Lopez feels the time away from the game and spending time with family will help the veteran Spaniard.
Nadal is currently enjoying a vacation with wife Maria Francisca Perello and son, Rafa junior in Greece. Earlier in May, Nadal announced that he is pulling out of the 2023 season due to a hip injury and also confirmed 2024 will be his final season on the tour of his career.
The Spaniard had said that he wants to go on a high and wants to give the final push in the next season.
In fact, it has been observed that Nadal has always made a solid comeback after recovering from an injury. The leftie has been consistently troubled by injuries, especially his foot, in his glorious career.
Nadal last played in the Australian Open but suffered a hip injury in the second round and has been out of action since then.
Lopez said in an interview with Clay, “Of that I am sure, that if Rafa plays tennis again, he will do so competitively. Sometimes being away from the slopes helps you to see things in a different way, to return with enthusiasm.”
“Because keep in mind that spending 15 or 20 years at that level of demand saturates you mentally. Being away with your family and with your child can help you,” Lopez said.
Lopez added that Nadal is fine and his recovery is going in the right direction. The Spaniard is always known for his competitive attitude on the court and Lopez is once again expecting the same from his compatriot.
”He is fine, and his recovery is going well. Knowing Rafa and seeing his career, it is very difficult for me to see him enter a tennis court without feeling competitive. If everything goes well, in 2024 we will see him playing well. at what level?”
“It is difficult to know because it is unknown. It’s been a long time, after the injury at Wimbledon 2022, he played very little. But he has the rest of the year to recover,” Lopez said.
Nadal will look to hit the ground running upon his return in 2024.
