Rafael Nadal Takes Training Detour To Kuwait Ahead Of 2024 Brisbane International

New Delhi

Spanish tennis icon Rafael Nadal is on the brink of his ATP Tour comeback, and his journey toward the 2024 Brisbane International has an unexpected stop in Kuwait. Scheduled from December 31 to January 7, the tournament marks Nadal's return to competitive tennis. Nadal visited the Rafa Nadal Academy in Kuwait, established in 2020 at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah International Tennis Complex. During his stay, the tennis maestro engaged in a training session with 19-year-old French talent Arthur Fils, a finalist at the recent Next Gen ATP Finals. Expressing his gratitude, Nadal shared, It's great to be here in Kuwait to train for a few days. Everyone has been so welcoming. Thank you for everything, in his official social media post. The 22-year-old Fils accompanied Nadal to Kuwait, seeking conditions and temperatures akin to those expected in the Australian summer. Nadal, who last played on January 18 in the second round of the Australian Open, is gearing up for his return to competitive action. Reflecting on his impending comeback, Nadal recently conveyed a message of cautious optimism. He stated, I still think what I said in the last press conference, that I do not deserve to end my sports career in a press room. I would like to finish in a different way, and I have fought and kept the illusion for that to happen, with doubts, with bad moments, very bad or better moments. Tennis enthusiasts eagerly await Nadal's return to the court, eager to witness his enduring passion for the sport.