“I feel like his comeback really starts once he gets on the clay courts” – Henman on Nadal’s return

The Spaniard returns to the tour next week after almost a year on the sidelines

Rafael Nadal, Roland-Garros 2022 © Federico Pestellini, Panoramic

December 25, 2023

The tennis world is waiting with bated breath for return of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal next week after almost a year on the sidelines. The Spaniard’s fans will be hoping for a strong return in Australia but former world No 4 Tim Henman believes that Nadal’s comeback will really kick in only once the clay season begins.

“I think the hard courts is probably a little bit of a stepping stone. He’s got to get out there, he’s got to get in the tournament environments, he’s got to be competing in longer matches, dealing with adversity and all the different elements that he hasn’t done for a long, long time. And that’s not easy to come back into tournament play like that,” Henman told Eurosport.

Rafa’s not there to come back and make quarters and semis in a couple of events. He wants to win the biggest titles.
Tim Henman on Rafael Nadal

“However, if he can stay injury free and play tournaments at the beginning of the year, to a certain extent, I feel like his comeback really starts once he gets on the clay courts and we will have had an opportunity to see where he’s at, how is his fitness, how is his movement, how is his body, how does he recover after matches? “

Henman added that it won’t be easy for Nadal to win tournaments once he’s back while admitting that the Spaniard would not be returning if he did not believe that he was capable of coming back at the top level.

“I think then when we get to (see him) play, then we can say if there is a chance of Rafa adding to his Grand Slam tally. It’d be amazing if he won any tournament on the tour because it’s not easy to do. But again, Rafa’s not there to come back and make quarters and semis in a couple of events. He wants to win the biggest titles. And so, I think the early part of next year will tell us a lot as to whether Rafa is going to be a contender.”