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IMAGE: Again on courtroom following an extended harm lay-off, Rafael Nadal fell to a loss in his doubles encounter in Brisbane. {Photograph}: Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Rafa Nadal returned to motion for the primary time since January on the Brisbane Worldwide on Sunday, dropping his doubles match however total exhibiting no apparent after-effects of the hip harm that ruined his yr.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who’s gearing up for the Jan. 14-28 Australian Open, sustained the hip drawback in his second spherical loss at Melbourne Park in the beginning of 2023 and ended his season early after having surgical procedure in June.
Nadal rekindled his partnership with retired veteran Marc Lopez, with whom he gained an Olympic gold medal in 2016, for his comeback however the duo misplaced 6-4 6-4 to Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson at a packed Pat Rafter Enviornment.
The 37-year-old was warmly welcomed by followers who held up Spanish flags and supportive messages whereas the loudest cheers have been reserved for his trademark whipped pictures and a strong crosscourt backhand winner within the opening set.
Nadal is more likely to get the same reception in his singles opener on Tuesday in opposition to qualifier Dominic Thiem, whom he defeated within the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals and holds a 9-6 win-loss report in opposition to.
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