PNeedless to say, the result of the draw for ATP 250 de Brisbane, the first tournament he plays Rafael Nadal After 11 months out due to injury, it has been favorable for him: he has not been paired with any of the seeds in the draw (Rune, Shelton, Dimitrov…) but with a player from the previa.
However, the preview of this first tournament of the season is very strong: it is headed by the Czech Tomas Machac (23 years old, 78 ATP) and there are players like Dominic Thiemwho not so long ago was among the leaders of the circuit and played two Roland Garros finals against Rafa, or the Argentine Diego Schwartzmanone of Rafa’s classic rivals in the last decade.
Certainly, both are relegated from the top positions due to injuries and poor streaks of results, but their quality is beyond doubt. Gregoire Barrere, Quentin Halys or Maxime Cressy They are also present in the previous one. Nadal will therefore have more time to prepare for his debutbut his rival arrives at the clash already with two shooting games.
The draw has also resulted in Nadal falling on the opposite side of Holger Rune, the first favorite. The winner of the first round match will face the Karatsev-Kubler.
With this result, therefore, it is unlikely that Nadal will play on December 31, the first official day of ATP competition. He will do it more safely January 1, 2024as soon.
In another significant return that takes place in this Brisbane tournament, but in the draw, also former world number 1 Naomi Osaka start playing against the German Tamara Korpatsch.
Another former world leader, Andy Murrayplay in the first round against Grigor Dimitrovthe ‘baby Federer’ and also a regular in the ‘top 10’.
