"See you in Madrid" - Rafael Nadal confirms Madrid Masters as his comeback event
Five-time champion Rafael Nadal has confirmed his participation at the 2022 Madrid Masters. The Spaniard will be making his comeback at the Masters 1000 event next month.
Nadal has been out of action since suffering a stress fracture in his ribs at the Indian Wells Masters. He only recently returned to training and will be keen to regain his form from the start of the season, when he embarked on a 20-match unbeaten run while pocketing three titles, including the Australian Open.
The 21-time Major champion took to Twitter on Tuesday to confirm his presence at his home event. Admitting that his preparation has been "difficult," Nadal pointed out that he did not want to miss the tournament because playing at home events is a rarity.
"Despite arriving just before and preparation being difficult, I really want to play and play at home since the opportunities are few," Rafael Nadal tweeted. "To try to do it in the best possible way. See you in Madrid."
🏻
A pesar de llegar justo de preparación y ser difícil, tengo muchas ganas de jugar y jugar en casa ya que las oportunidades son pocas.
A tratar de hacerlo de la mejor manera posible 💪🏻
Nos vemos en Madrid 😉 https://t.co/tiD5m6lWle
The Twitter account of the Madrid Masters also confirmed the Spaniard's presence at the event.
"Rafa is coming!" wrote the Madrid Masters Twitter account. "We're delighted to welcome back our five-time Mutua Madrid Open champion. Can't wait to see you in the Caja Mágica!"
Rafa is coming!
We're delighted to welcome back our five-time Mutua Madrid Open champion 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Can't wait to see you in the Caja Mágica!
@RafaelNadal | @atptour | #MMOPEN https://t.co/e9F90DNoVp
Quite interestingly, Nadal announced his comeback on the same day his good friend and rival Roger Federer was confirmed to play at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. The 20-time Grand Slam champion will also participate in the Laver Cup from September 23-25, a month before his home tournament is scheduled to commence.
Rafael Nadal will be looking to clinch a record-extending 6th title at Madrid
The 35-year-old Spaniard has won the Madrid Masters on five occasions. He won his maiden title in Madrid in 2005, defeating Federer's current coach Ivan Ljubicic in the final.
Nadal made the summit clash in 2009 but suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of the Swiss. The Mallorcan exacted revenge the very next year, beating the 40-year-old to lift his second Madrid crown.
The 21-time Major champion then won the title in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014, beating Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori respectively.
Rafael Nadal made the final in 2015 but fell to Andy Murray. In 2017, he added his fifth title in the Spanish capital, beating Dominic Thiem in the summit clash.
However, the Mallorcan has not made the final since then, falling in the quarterfinals twice and semifinals once.