Andrey Rublev has revealed he won’t be surprised if Rafael Nadal clinches more Grand Slam titles upon his return from injury in the 2024 season.
The world No 5 emphasised how the 'Big Three' of Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer have consistently defied expectations when written off by observers.
Nadal is set to make his highly anticipated comeback at the Brisbane International tournament in January to gear up for the 2024 Australian Open.
The 37-year-old hasn’t played since sustaining a hip injury during his second-round defeat to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open in January. The former world No. 1 underwent surgery to address the issue in June, initially anticipating a recovery period of six to eight weeks.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had to delay his planned return during this year’s clay-court season, missing Roland Garros for the first time since 2004.
The Spaniard claimed his most recent title at the 2022 French Open, triumphing over Casper Ruud in a straight-set final to secure a record-extending 14th crown.
Rublev, presently competing in the World Tennis League exhibition, spoke about Nadal’s return and elucidated why he believes it would be an error to underestimate the Mallorcan’s prospects in the Majors.
“We don’t know yet [what Nadal’s level will be when he returns],” the 26-year-old Russian said in an interview with The National.
“But how many times people would say, not just about Rafa, about all those three players, every time they were injured or down and losing matches everybody was saying, ‘Now the time of Roger, or time of Rafa, or time of Novak – is coming to an end’, and they always proved them wrong."
“So I will not be surprised if he will prove it again and wins more Slams.”
Rublev has encountered Nadal three times, with the esteemed Spaniard leading 2-1 in their head-to-head record. Nadal emerged victorious in straight sets during their initial encounter in the quarter-finals of the 2017 US Open.
The 'King of Clay' subsequently defeated Rublev in straight sets during the round-robin stage of the ATP Finals in London in 2020. However, Rublev secured his first win against Nadal in a three-set triumph during the quarter-finals of the 2021 Monte Carlo Masters, marking their most recent clash.