Nadal edges closer to incredible Djokovic record

RAFAEL Nadal has only been back on the ATP Tour for one match after a year away due to injury, but he is already rewriting the record books once again.

Nadal returned from his year-long injury absence with a bang by winning an engrossing first-round battle with Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International.

The 22-time grand slam champion had not played since damaging his hip during a second-round match at the 2023 Australian Open.

But, with this year’s Melbourne major on the horizon, he gave a timely reminder of his talents with a box-office performance en route to an impressive 7-5 6-1 success in an hour and 29 minutes.

“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career without a doubt,” Nadal said on court following the victory.

“To have the chance to come back after a year and play in front of an amazing crowd and play at a very positive level is something that probably makes us feel proud – myself, all the team, family that have been there every single day during the last year.

“I missed being healthy, I missed feeling myself competitive and playing in front of full crowds like this.

“Things went well and I’m excited to be back again tomorrow.

“I don’t know how competitive I am, I have been away for too long,” added Nadal. “I have received thousands of messages all this year from people wishing me well and having a great team around me has always helped.

“I was focused to be on court and to try and remember how to play in a competitive, professional match. I had nerves before the match and, of course, some doubts because I have been away for so long.”

Ahead of his long-awaited comeback, Nadal said it was “impossible” for him to contemplate winning tournaments.

There was little between the pair in the opening set before the Spaniard sealed a decisive break of serve by capitalising on his fourth set point.