Rafael Nadal To Make Comeback Next Week In Doha, Also Eyeing Indian Wells

When Rafael Nadal pulled out of the Australian Open last month due to a micro tear in his surgically repaired hip, some tennis experts believed he might not return until the clay court season with an eye toward Roland Garros this spring.

John McEnroe even suggested that Nadal might opt to retire if he wasn’t ready for the French Open, which the Spaniard has won an astonishing 14 times.

But now the 37-year-old Nadal plans to make his return next week at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which runs from Feb. 19-24 in Doha and is played on hardcourts. He won the title there in 2013 and also reached the final in his last appearance in 2016.

Nadal is also signed up for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he has competed 15 times and won the title three times (2007, 2019, 2013).

Nadal hasn’t played since competing in three matches last month at the Brisbane International, losing in the quarterfinals to Jordan Thompson.

READ MORE:Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in..

“We’re all obviously hopeful that he can [return] because Rafa’s been amazing for the game, obviously, so we’d like to see him as long as we can,” McEnroe said ahead of the Australian Open.

Working at the Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar with his team, Nadal has been recovering and training.

He recently posted a video of himself swimming and demonstrating some impressive lung capacity.

“Watch out, Michael Phelps! Rafael Nadal shows off his swimming skills,” Tweeted one tennis account.