Corretja: “Nadal will win big titles again if he’s physically healthy”
The former French Open finalist and tennis pundit believes Nadal will be a problem again in the ATP if he’s fully fit.
After the announcement of Rafa Nadal’s return to the tennis courts after almost one year of inactivity, the next question is probably if the 22-time major champion can win important titles in 2024.
The Manacor-bred talent answered that question a few weeks ago, admitting that his priority was to be able to play again and enjoy competing against the best players in the world.
There were lots of speculations before the Spaniard announced his return, as the recovery from his hip injury took way longer than expected and at some point, it seemed that the former world No. 1 would choose the retirement possibility.
However, as shown several times in his lustrious career, he’s a fighter and didn’t want to leave the sport that way. Now, he will have the chance to do what he does best, playing tennis and entertaining sports and tennis fans with his game.
Corretja believes Nadal can still win big titles
Although Nadal isn’t among the favorites to win the Australian Open, which will start in 16 days, things could change if Rafa manages to impress in the Brisbane tournament.
The 37-year-old legend knows better than anyone what can be expected from him, taking into consideration that he hasn’t played a competitive game since he was eliminated in the second round of the Australian Open by Mackenzie McDonald. However, he’s very competitive and he will leave everything he has to try to emerge victorious.
And that’s what his fellow countryman Alex Correja believes can get him back to his old version when he competed for all the titles.
“Just thinking and saying Rafa’s name, I get excited because of everything he transmits, the hopes that his return has generated, seeing that he is eager to compete again. For me, the results will be the least important thing.”
“He has the winning gene in his heart and he will have it until he retires. If he wins more or fewer matches, I am not worried about it, but if he is physically healthy and has no problems, I am convinced that we will see a Rafa who will win big titles again”, Corretja said.
At the same time, Corretja, who knows Rafa well, added that despite his drive to win games and tournaments, Rafa should be careful with his fitness, as it’s always difficult to come back to the elite after being inactive for that long.
“Rafa is so good that when he comes back he wins a lot of matches right away and that also makes him take an extra load of effort. So, I think that’s what he’s going to have to control very well, his training, his official matches.”
“For me, with the way Rafa plays, he needs matches that are long, but not agonizingly long, that he doesn’t suffer too much. I think he is at a point in his career where he has to find a way to play with a kind of joy”, Corretja concluded.
Nadal, who said that 2024 could be his last year competing, will be looking to shock the world once again in Melbourne and win his third Australian Open title.