Rafael Nadal will be ready to return at 70% just to win the French Open for the last time believes top analyst Jon Wertheim

Nadal is working to return to the tour at the Australian Open next year. 

Rafael Nadal will be ready to return at 70% just to win the French Open for the last time believes top analyst Jon Wertheim

Rafael Nadal holding the French Open trophy (Image via : The Guardian)

22-time Grand Slam title champion Rafael Nadal has been out of tennis action for the most part of this year as tennis fans eagerly await his return to the tennis tour. Nadal started his season at the Australian Open, where he was defending his title but was defeated in straight sets in the second round by Mackenzie McDonald as he struggled with a hip injury. Currently ranked 243rd in the world, the Spaniard hasn’t returned to tour since then as he recuperates from the injury.

Recently, some clips circulating on social media showed the 37-year-old returning to the practice courts in his hometown of Mallorca as he belted forehands down the line. In an interview with Spanish TV channel Movistar+, Nadal expressed optimism about returning to the tour next year. 

YouTube video

Although he toned down the expectation by saying that he doesn’t expect himself to win Grand Slams straightaway, tennis journalist Jon Wertheim believes that the ‘King of clay‘ would give a shot at winning the French Open even if he’s 70% fit.

“He can come back, but if he is not at the top of his form, who will be the favorite to win Roland Garros? He always loved European clay. I can see him playing a very abbreviated program… Barcelona, Madrid, maybe Monte Carlo, and ending his career at Roland Garros 2024,” he added on Tennis Channel’s Match Point podcast.

The Spaniard enjoys playing on the clay court and has won an astounding 14 titles in Paris at the Roland Garros. In addition to that, he has won the title in Barcelona a record 12 times, Monte Carlo 11 times, and the Madrid Masters 5 times.

Keep Exploring: WATCH: Novak Djokovic gets flooded by fans for photos as he attends Red Star’s Euroleague debut

Rafael Nadal keeps his fans guessing on his return to the tour at the Australian Open

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley recently announced to Australian media that the two-time Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal would play in the 2024 edition of the tournament. Nadal himself refuted the rumors as he took to social media site ‘X’, saying that although he appreciated the confidence shown by Craig, he was working hard to come back ASAP. The former World No. 1 confirmed, in as many words, that he’s not sure about his participation.

Rafael Nadal (Credit : Reuters)

The Spaniard would be eager to return to the court and would hope that he’s fit enough to chase down his long-time rival Novak Djokovic‘s Grand Slam tally. The world no.1 leads Nadal by 2 slams as he won a record-extending 24th Grand Slam at the recently concluded US Open.

In case you missed it :