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The countdown has begun for Rafael Nadal's official come back on the court. Andy Murray and the Spaniard carried out a training session together, in view of their respective first tournament of 2024, the ATP 250 in Brisbane.
The British tennis player can't wait to make his debut in the complicated first round in Australia against the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. During the media day, the Scotsman was also asked to talk about the Spanish champion's physical condition on the court.
Murray stressed that Nadal is training very hard. "Usually if I train with him or Novak there is a bit of interest, certainly in them and not so much in me. It's great to have him back playing. Obviously he is working very hard, as always.
He is training intensely. He looked good physically, he was playing well," said the Scot.
Murray added some curious details about Rafa's training: "There are some things he's probably doing a little differently than at the beginning of his career.
His second serve is significantly harder than what he had in the early years. of activity. For the rest of the game, unless there's a physical issue, there's really no reason for him to make any big changes. He has had some success.
When he's fit and healthy, that style of play is what's worked really well for him, looking for his forehand, trying to dominate with that shot. If he wants to be successful in the future, this is what he should try to do in my opinion."
Murray on the start of the season
The 3-time Slam champion then analyzed his feelings regarding the start of the 2024 tennis season: "I feel much better physically and mentally than I did months ago.
I had difficulties during the preseason because I injured my shoulder, I had a small knee problem and got very ill while going to do a training block in Dubai. Then I managed to recover. I haven't been able to play as many competitive sets as I would have liked but that's something I've been doing these last few days here in Australia, with some of the best in the world."