‘God’s soil’ is alive and well.
Rafael Nadal plays against Jason Kubler in the singles round of 16 on the Men’s Professional Tennis Tour (ATP) held in Brisbane, Australia on the 4th. /AFP Yonhap News
Former world number one tennis player, Rafael Nadal (38, Spain, world number 672), who returned to the court after being absent for about a year due to injury and rehabilitation, ranked 16th in the singles at the Tennis Tour event Men’s Professional (ATP) held in Brisbane, Australia on the 4th. In the semi-final, he defeated Jason Kubler (31st, Australia, 102nd) with a set score of 2-0 (6-1 6-2) advancing to round the last eight.
Nadal won five games in the first set, stopping Kubler from chasing him early. With light body movements and quick footwork, he moved around the court and displayed a spear and shield at the same time. Kubler was stunned by his patented forehand stroke, which had a spinning force that made it spin like a top that had just been thrown to the floor. Nadal, who pushed unilaterally, won in 1 hour and 24 minutes.
Nadal, who returned a year after suffering back and hip injuries at the Australian Open last January and ended the 2023 season early, defeated 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem, as he returned to singles in the official tournament held on the 2nd (round). of 32. (31st, Austria, 98th) continued their momentum by defeating them 2-0. Nadal will compete with Australia’s Jordan Thompson (30th, 55th) to advance to the semi-finals in the quarter-finals on the 5th.
Rafael Nadal plays against Jason Kubler in the singles round of 16 on the Men’s Professional Tennis Tour (ATP) held in Brisbane, Australia on the 4th. /AP Yonhap News
Nadal took part in this tournament to check his skills before the Australian Open, the first major tournament of the season, which opens on the 14th. Even though he repeatedly waves his hands and says, “I don’t expect anything from myself,” he shows his competitiveness and raises expectations for this year’s tour life.
At the French Open, held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, a clay court, he is known as the ‘God of Clay’ by winning 14 times, the most in a single major tournament, and in the four major tournaments (Australian Open, French ). Open, Wimbledon, and US Open), he has reached the summit a total of 22 times. Nadal is looking to conclude his great career at the French Open and the Paris Olympics this year. He announced his retirement after the 2024 season.
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