Marin Cilic will play the Rafa Nadal Open next week

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Rafael Nadal is back on the practice court at home in Mallorca. The 22-time Major winner decided to skip the US Open and stay home, working on his comeback for the Laver Cup in September. On Thursday, Rafa welcomed his old rival Marin Cilic at his Academy in Manacor, with the Croat entering next week’s Rafa Nadal Open Challenger. Cilic will play his first Challenger since 2012, struggling with a knee injury since the beginning of 2023 and undergoing two surgeries. Marin will play his first match since February, entering his sixth tournament since the start of 2023. The Croat competed in Hong Kong at the beginning of the season and suffered a massive blow against Jan-Lennard Struff. Marin led 6-3, 5-2 and wasted nine match points in a terrible 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 defeat. Cilic fell to Fabian Marozsan at the Australian Open and led Croatia against Belgium in the Davis Cup. Marin traveled to Buenos Aires and suffered an early loss to Laslo Djere.

Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics

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The Croat took another break and underwent surgery in May, taking an additional three months off the court. The 2014 US Open champion is finally ready to compete again, and Rafa may come to watch his matches next week. After taking a few weeks off the court following the Olympic Games, Nadal is back training, preparing for the Laver Cup in Berlin starting September 20. Rafa fell to Novak Djokovic in the second round in Paris, ending his dream of winning another Olympic medal for Spain. The veteran decided to rest his body, preparing for the Laver Cup and making no further plans. Nadal finished the 2022 season as world no. 2, conquering the opening two Major titles before struggling in the second part of the year due to injuries. Rafa experienced another blow at last year’s Australian Open, hurting his left hip in the second round and missing the rest of the season! The legend dropped out from the top-600 for the first time in over two decades, starting from the beginning in January this year in Brisbane.

Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics

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Rafael Nadal welcomed Marin Cilic at Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor.

Nadal defeated two rivals and reached the quarter-final before suffering a tough loss to Jordan Thompson. The Spaniard wasted three match points and fell in just under three and a half hours, feeling the pain around his hip and skipping the Australian Open. Unable to catch a break, Nadal injured his abdominal muscle in February, withdrawing from Doha, Indian Wells and Monte Carlo. Rafa returned to action in Barcelona, playing 100 days since his last duel. The king of clay lost to Alex de Minaur, not feeling well physically and hoping for a better run in Madrid. The home favorite defeated three rivals en route to the fourth round, achieving his best result since the 2022 US Open! Nadal fell to Jiri Lehecka and moved to Rome, returning to his beloved Foro Italico. Rafa suffered a heavy loss to Hubert Hurkacz in the second round, taking only a couple of games and entering Roland Garros with zero confidence. The draw did not like Nadal, arranging his first-round duel with world no. 4 Alexander Zverev.

Rafael Nadal, Bastad 2024

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Rafa fought well on his beloved Court Philippe-Chatrier in a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 loss after three hours and five minutes, missing opportunities in the second set and experiencing his earliest Roland Garros defeat. Not fancying his chances on grass, Rafa skipped Wimbledon and stayed on clay, training in Mallorca and Greece ahead of Bastad and the Olympic Games. The veteran stopped the clock at the ATP 250 event in Bastad, competing there for the first time in 19 years and reaching the title clash, his first on the Tour in over two years! Nadal endured a four-hour marathon against Mariano Navone, pushing his body to the limits but losing energy ahead of the final, taking five games versus Nuno Borges. Rafa traveled to Paris for his fourth Olympic Games at Roland Garros. The veteran experienced another setback, injuring his right thigh and playing with a bandage on his leg.

Rafael Nadal & Marin Cilic, 2019 US Open

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Nadal battled past Marton Fucsovics in the singles first round, arranging the 60th duel with his greatest rival, Novak Djokovic. The Serb was the favorite, scoring a 6-1, 6-4 triumph for his 32nd victory over the Spaniard. Novak took charge and forged a 6-1, 4-0 advantage in no time, overpowering Rafa in every department and sailing toward the finish line. Nadal stepped in and raised his level, breaking Djokovic two times in a row and locking the result at 4-4, giving the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier something to cheer about. Still, Novak kept his composure and delivered a crucial break in game nine before sealing the deal on his serve at 5-4. As expected, Nadal withdrew from the US Open, staying home and preparing for the Laver Cup.

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Source: USA Today