“Sign up to see them,” Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray intense rivalry ignites ATP Legend Tim Henman as he hopes for a showdown in Qatar Open

British legend hopes that Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray kick form in Qatar Open.

“Sign up to see them,” Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray intense rivalry ignites ATP Legend Tim Henman as he hopes for a showdown in Qatar Open

Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray (Via Tennis Now and Tennis 365)

British legend Tim Henman hopes that Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray can reignite their old-time rivalry before retirement as both prepare for the Qatar Open. The duo’s careers have been plagued by injuries as they near the end of their sparkling career, with Nadal winning 22 major titles and Murray 3.

Rafael Nadal has been struggling with persistent knee problems for most of his career and recently he is yet to fully recover from his hip injury that he sustained at the 2023 Australian Open. He had an emphatic comeback in 2024 at the Brisbane International but the legend was forced to miss the opening Grand Slam tournament due to another injury.

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Meanwhile, Andy Murray is yet to win a game in 2024. The Briton lost to Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the opening round of the Australian Open, also crashing out of the Open Sud de France and Open 13 in Marseille without winning a game.

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During an interview with Metro.co.uk, Tim Henman said that he would love to see the two legends return to best form at the Qatar Open:

We would love that. To see them both healthy and back on the court… I’ve got to say, Rafa’s level in Brisbane was impressive. Having not played for a whole year and then to come back and play like that. He lost a really tight one against Jordan Thompson and then had a bit of a setback.
Tim Henman said

He added:

We’ve been blessed with so many great rivalries in the sport. Murray and Nadal, I can’t remember how many times they have played, but I would certainly sign up to see them play one more time!
Tim Henman added

The duo would launch their last assault on the Tour, as what seems like their finals year playing. With more hopes for Nadal due to his remarkable comebacks in the past, he will look to grind it at the Qatar Open which starts on February 19 and runs until February 24.

Andy Murray refuses to retire despite losses

Andy Murray has refused to hang his racket despite disappointing results since his comeback from injury last year. The Briton lost to Benoit Paire in a three-setter at the Open Sud de France before falling to Tomas Machac in the Open 13 tournament in Marseille.

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Andy Murray upset after a defeat (Image via The Sun)

The Scottish star has lost nine of his last ten matches, including a successive fourth straight loss in Marseille. It is believed that the downturn of the legend began after his loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas at Wimbledon last year. Murray struggled with injury throughout the game after a good run to the quarterfinals.

However, he heads into the ATP 250 in Doha with renewed optimism, having reached the final of the competition last year before succumbing to defeat against Daniil Medvedev.

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