Rafael Nadal ‘problem’ highlighted as tennis legend makes return from injury

Rafael Nadal’s movement will take time to get back to his previous best standard as he prepares to make his return to the court.

That’s the view of former tennis player Alex Corretja, who feels the 20-time Grand Slam champion may not be as quick across the court after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Nadal is back in action at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship this week having not played since August with a foot issue.

But fellow Spaniard Corretja is concerned the time off will impact his usual game of being one of the fastest players across the court on the tour.

‘What worries me the most about Rafa’s recovery are his movements,’ Corretja told Eurosport. ‘His mobility on the court, his intensity, the way he is going to move, the way he will do the supports when he hits the ball.

‘When he moves well and is well supported to hit his backhand and arrives perfectly to play with his parallel forehand and dominate, Rafa is almost impossible to beat. The problem is how he gets to that ball so he can be well supported and hit well.

‘That extra half second that he needs today is what worries me the most. The rest, I think it’s a matter of time before he picks up some rhythm.’

Nadal’s appearance in Abu Dhabi comes a few weeks before he returns to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open, due to start on January 17.

While the 35-year-old has often found no trouble in reaching the second week of a Grand Slam, Corretja feels this time it could be a harder struggle due to his lack of playing time in recent months.

‘He is going to get to the Australian Open and, when you have not competed for so long, these players are so good that they win many matches, but your body is not used to it and you get other pains in the shoulder or back,’ he added.