The video, barely a few seconds long, reassured and brought back a smile to all Rafael Nadal fans.
Broadcast on social networks Tuesday, we saw the Mallorcan in training, on the courts of his academy, multiplying the strikes with a beautiful intensity.
A good omen for the man who had to end his season prematurely due to a foot injury.
This Wednesday the player with 20 Grand Slam titles - like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic - was honored as "adopted son" of the city of Sant Llorenç Des Cardassar in Mallorca.
In 2018, Nadal donated one million euros to this city which had suffered heavy damage due to heavy flooding.
The “Matador” of tennis had also not hesitated to lend a hand to his “neighbors” by clearing rubble.
@RafaelNadal via rodrimezaa_ IG Story 12 October pic.twitter.com/QztBD5gLZr
- Yvonne 🏴 (@ woody16668) October 12, 2021
During a ceremony, the former world number 1 confided in his return to the game. In comments relayed by AS.
Absent from the circuit since his elimination in Washington last August, Nadal wanted to be cautious - “I don't know when I'll play again” - but also determined to come back.
"I'm sure things will take a positive course"
“I want to recover from this injury to get back in shape,” he explained. I follow a specific plan, obviously with a marked roadmap and very clear objectives. I won't say what those goals are because there are things I can't 100% control, but in my head I'm sure things are going to take a positive course so I can try to compete. I work a lot every day to try, first, to recover, and second, when I'm well, to be ready to come back to play in great shape. I am in a process of recovery, of work, with a gradual increase in the loads and the sensations are not measured on a daily basis. We have to be a little careful, look a little in the medium term. "
In the 3iguales Toni Nadal podcast, Rafael's uncle had been optimistic a few weeks ago about the state of form of his former student.
“Rafael is motivated to start 2022 at the top and I am convinced that it will be a good year for him, he said.
I hope he will be able to win a few more Grand Slam titles.
But the reality is that each year it is more difficult and that each year the young people come closer together.
"
One can imagine that the current world number 6 will have for main objective to regain his crown in his kingdom, at Roland Garros.
Stopped in the semifinals this season by Novak Djokovic, he will aim for an incredible 14th Porte d'Auteuil coronation.