Nadal plays down Australian Open expectations after returning to the court

Rafael Nadal has been absent from the tennis scene since his second-round defeat at the Australian Open earlier this year. He underwent two rounds of hip surgery, which led to concerns about the future of his career. However, he is set to make a comeback at the Brisbane International, which precedes the Australian Open in Melbourne.

During a promotional event in the city, the Spanish player expressed his optimism, stating, "I am feeling good." Despite previously hinting that this could be his farewell season, Nadal now feels much better than he anticipated a month ago.

However, he remains realistic about his expectations, saying, "It's impossible to think about winning tournaments today. What's possible is to enjoy the comeback to the court."

He added, "I don't expect much, honestly. The only thing that I expect is to be able to go on court, to feel myself competitive, and to give my best." Nadal acknowledged that his training has been limited, describing the process as tough in the beginning. He emphasized that being present at the tournament is already a victory for him.

Having spent time at his academy in Kuwait to acclimate to similar temperatures and conditions as Australia, Nadal is determined to make the most of his opportunity.

He acknowledged that he has fallen behind his rival Novak Djokovic in terms of Grand Slam titles, but he remains focused on being competitive as the season progresses.

While he does not have long-term goals due to his career stage, Nadal is committed to continuously improving his competitiveness throughout the season.