Former world number one Rafael Nadal had been out of
the tennis tour for seven months, but he returned from injury with a win
and a warning to his rivals.
“I’m only a year older
than (Novak) Djokovic and (Andy) Murray. Maybe it’s not time to bury me
yet,” Nadal said in an interview with L’Equipe.
“I have not forgotten how to play tennis. I think I can reach the level I used to have.”
On
Wednesday Nadal returned to competitive tennis with a 6-3, 6-2 win over
Argentine Federico Delbonis on clay in the Chilean seaside town of Vina
del Mar.
“I felt good, very happy to play a singles
tournament again. It was a very important and very beautiful afternoon
for me,” Nadal said.
“After seven months the first
match is always very tough. At the beginning it was hard, Federico
played at a high level, made me run a lot. But I’m happy because my knee
stood it well,” he said.
“I need time, I need days. The most important thing for me nowadays is to spend as many hours as possible on court,” Nadal said.
The
tournament is grateful to have a rare top player, and the capacity
crowd give him their wholehearted support. Nadal obliges in full colour —
in orange shoes and a purple shirt — and he admits spectators are
making him feel “like a Chilean” with their cheer.