A dominant Rafael Nadal has defeated fellow grand slam winner Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-1 as he returned to tennis after almost a year off due to a near career-ending hip injury.
Key points:
- Nadal received a standing ovation after the 7-5, 6-1 win against Dominic Thiem
- The 22-times slam winner won his first nine points on serve before a net cord sent a regulation backhand long
- He will next play Australia’s Jason Kubler
It was a peerless performance from a legend of the sport in a comeback that had by Nadal’s own admission been racked with uncertainty.
Nadal said the win was one of the more emotional in a career that has earned him 22 slams and over 90 singles titles.
“Today is an emotional and important day for me after one of the toughest years of my tennis career,” Nadal said.
“The support [from fans] is super important to me especially in the low moments. I received thousands of messages during the year.”
What was not uncertain was the love for Nadal from tennis fans as he received a standing ovation after the win.
The 37-year-old Spanish great was also welcomed back with thunderous applause as he waved to the Pat Rafter Arena crowd and didn’t take long to make his intentions known.
On the opening point of the match Nadal hammered a trademark forehand that painted the corner of the baseline for a winner.
