Rafael Nadal told he will 'not be a contender' for Slams in 2024
Former coach Rick Macci believes Rafael Nadal will not be a serious contender for any Grand Slams in 2024.
Mental head start eroded by injury
Former coach Rick Macci believes that Rafael Nadal's injury may have eroded his mental head start, especially on clay.
Macci suggests that as Nadal gets older, he may lose some mobility and players will no longer be afraid to face him.
He also notes that the difference between the top players and the next tier is not significant, and when players know they have a chance against Nadal, it changes the dynamics of the match.
Nadal's chances at Roland Garros
Although Macci doesn't believe Nadal is at the same level as before, he still acknowledges that there won't be many players hoping to face him at Roland Garros.
Nadal has an impressive record on clay at Roland Garros, with a win-loss ratio of 112-3. This dominance used to intimidate opponents before the match even began.
While Macci doesn't think Nadal is a contender to win a Slam, he believes he can still be competitive, especially on clay, depending on his health.
Australian Open plans
Rafael Nadal's cautious approach to recovery and scheduling makes it unusual for him to commit to future tournaments.
However, reports suggest that Nadal will go to his academy in Kuwait to intensify his practice sessions in December, indicating his intention to play at the Australian Open.
Australian Open chief Craig Tiley is confident that Nadal will be in the draw, citing his previous success at the event and his desire to repeat it.
