What if he was already back?
Rafael Nadal, who withdrew from the Australian Open after his return at the very beginning of the year due to a micro-tear, could make his comeback at the end of February at the ATP 250 in Doha.
If he has not communicated for the moment, the 37-year-old Spaniard has, for the moment, registered on the list of participants.
The “Bull of Manacor” used his protected ranking to be able to enter the table despite his 446th place in the current world ranking.
Submarine announcement of his return or simple precaution taken by his staff in the event of a return faster than expected?
🚨 Rafael Nadal is registered in Doha!
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The Spaniard used his protected ranking to enter the ATP 250 tournament in Doha, on hard court, and could make his return from February 19 to 24.
🇪🇸🔙 pic.twitter.com/EJFjh2Evz4
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) January 23, 2024
At the time of his withdrawal on January 7, Rafael Nadal had not mentioned a return date, simply explaining that he wanted to "be at (his) best level in 3 months", i.e. the start of the clay court season where he so brilliant in his career, culminating in his 14 crowns at Roland-Garros.
The American tour on the program?
If some imagined him only making his return in April on his favorite surface, the Spaniard could therefore want to return to the circuit earlier than expected... on hard.
And why not to compete in the American hard court tour which begins with the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells (March 6 to 17).
Nadal also still has an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz scheduled in Las Vegas on March 3.
The schedule is still busy, but the Spaniard, who has been juggling injuries for more than a year, has become accustomed to last-minute changes.