'Won Australian Open on a broken foot' - Tiger Woods lauds Rafael Nadal ahead of tennis legend's farewell tour

The Spaniard is likely to start his season in 2024 with the Australian Open.

In a recent official statement, Tiger Woods urged avid followers of tennis to relish the presence of Rafael Nadal while they still have the opportunity, as the esteemed Spaniard undertakes one final comeback. 

Woods stated about Nadal during a press conference at the Hero World Challenge. He said, “Well, I think what Rafa, what he’s done is extraordinary. I mean, he won the Australian Open on a broken foot. The guy’s beyond tough and beyond competitive.”

“I don’t want to see him go. I never wanted to see Roger Federer go, but that’s what happened. We should all enjoy watching him compete and watching him play and what he’s meant to the game, what he’s meant to all of us, just to see the passion of how he plays and why he plays”, he added.

Tiger Woods is poised to make a much-anticipated return at the Hero World Challenge, which is slated to commence on November 30. This comes after his withdrawal from the Masters earlier this year.

The renowned golfer, who has achieved victory in fifteen major championships, recently underwent a subtalar fusion surgery on his right ankle. This procedure aims to alleviate the effects of arthritis resulting from injuries sustained in a significant car accident that occurred in 2021.

With a professional golf career spanning over twenty-five years, Woods will arrive at Albany with unwavering determination to compete and a clear goal of winning the tournament that he himself hosts.

Rafael Nadal’s return to tennis court

The illustrious 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has been absent from the tennis scene since January, when he incurred a debilitating injury during the Australian tournament. 

Nadal has expressed his contemplation that the year 2024 may serve as his final year competing professionally, thus potentially rendering any eventual return a symbolic farewell journey. It remains to be seen when and where he plays but there are reports that the former world No 1 will start the season with a warm-up event in Australia.

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