Gasquet Provides Insight After Training with Nadal: "He's Returning to Compete"

The anticipation surrounding Rafael Nadal's highly anticipated return to the tennis court is palpable, and Richard Gasquet, the French player who recently trained with Nadal, has provided valuable insights into the Spaniard's current state and mindset.

At the age of 37, Nadal is preparing for his comeback on the Australian circuit after taking a break. Gasquet, who has faced Nadal multiple times throughout their careers, shared his experience training alongside the tennis legend.

"We trained together for three hours and fifteen minutes on Sunday, with a high level of intensity," Gasquet revealed to L'Equipe. "How was he? It has only been fifteen days since he resumed training. Obviously, he has limited time, but he is already playing very well. When you take a long break, it's not easy to find your rhythm."

Gasquet proudly mentioned that he won two out of three sets in their practice session. However, he acknowledged the challenge of defeating Nadal, saying, "We had three excellent sets. I won two! It was a good session. In training, you can see the frustration and concentration..."

The French player is confident that Nadal is not making a comeback just to participate, but to give his best performance: "I felt that he no longer had any pain. He will perform well this year (in 2024). In the beginning, it takes time, but he will be competitive, I have no doubt. As for when that will be, whether in Australia, March, April... He will win matches, no doubt! He is having rigorous three-hour training sessions. That's what you have to do, play as much as possible."

Considering Nadal's competitiveness, there's speculation about his chances at Roland Garros, a tournament he has dominated in the past. Gasquet remains cautious about making predictions: "You never know how far he can go; it's complicated to determine if he will win Roland Garros again. I have no idea. These things unfold day by day, week by week. You can't predict where this journey will lead. No one knows, not even himself. What I do know is that he is giving himself the opportunity to play at the highest level once again."

Gasquet expresses his enthusiasm for Nadal's return to the court, underscoring its significance for tennis: "It's fantastic for tennis. It's Nadal! There is no one like him on the circuit. We need him to come back, to choose when to stop. And to continue playing matches, showcasing what makes him a tennis legend. Everyone has immense respect for him. We are all thrilled that he is making his comeback. He is showing promising signs." Now, fans eagerly await the confirmation of these positive indications and the opportunity to witness Nadal's legendary performances once again.