United Cup Tennis 2024 LIVE results, day four; Brisbane International
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Aussie tennis legend Wally Masur believes Rafael Nadal looked “fine” on his return to the tennis court after a 12-month injury break.
Nadal played his first competitive match since suffering a hip injury during last year’s Australian Open in a doubles match at the Brisbane International on Sunday.
Playing with fellow Spaniard Marc Lopez, the pair were downed by Aussie pairing Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
Masur said the loss itself should come as no surprise, given Thompson-Purcell are a bonafide doubles pairing.
“With Rafa, he’s so professional that if he is going to come back, he’s going to make every effort to be right to do so,” Masur said on Nine’s Today.
“It is probably not much of a surprise that he lost that match – Max Purcell has won grand slams (Wimbledon 2022 with Matthew Ebden), Jordan Thompson plays Davis Cup doubles for Australia, so they’re a really good pair.
“But it’s just awesome to see Rafa back, and a real bonus for the Brisbane crowd.”
Nadal’s fitness will be given a massive test when he takes on 2020 US Open winner Dominic Thiem tomorrow.
