This was supposed to be the year of his comeback, his final year on tour.

Rafa Nadal spent the better half of 2023 undergoing medical treatment and healing. He went away and got his body right before heading down to Australia in preparation for the first Grand Slam of the year.

He looked great in practice and many believed once again ready for the big time. Could he defend his title? Nadal played all that down and sought not to put pressure on himself.

The Brisbane International, a warm-up tournament before the Australian saw him up against Dominic Thiem who he put away comfortably 7-5, 6-1 in the first round.

No niggles, no injury. Next match saw the Spaniard take on Kubler. He dispatched him 6-1,6-2. The Rafa comeback rolled on taking him to the quarter-final.

“”My plan is just to go on court and try to play well and try my best,” said Nadal. The man is always humble.

Things were looking good. Could Nadal be his imperious self and hurt Jordan Thompson?

Jordan Thompson came to play and so he did taking it to Nadal. He made the former World No 1 work, and work hard particularly when it looked like Nadal would be victorious in two sets.

It was Nadal who went down 7-5, 6-7, 3-6. It was a tough match that tested him.

Of concern is Neal sustained a problem with his upper thigh muscle. Perhaps it was overworked, with him putting strain on it so soon after coming back to top class tennis.

He is now out of the Australian Open and hoping to return in time for the French, in the spring.

“I am not 100 per cent sure of anything right now,” he said disconsolately.

For the last few years he has been plagued by injuries and has been unable to complete tournaments.

The physical intensity which is a hallmark of his game, places his body under stress and has led to the breakdowns he has been experiencing.

After such a lengthy break in 2023, it will take time for him to return to top form. He just missed out against Thompson and shouldn’t be too hard on himself. This week proved he can still do it when fit. That should be his take away from Brisbane.

At the age of 37, it doesn’t get easier after a twenty-year career.

Should he play through the pain and put on a show knowing this is his final year on tour or does he pace himself and see to it that he does not go out in the early rounds, thus keeping his legacy and the memorary of his glory days in tact?

Nadal is one of the greatest tennis players the world has ever seen and arguably its best warrior. When he does quit he will be missed. He has left an unforgettable mark on the game.

He will now rest up in preparation for where he performs best, the French Open.

Can he win another Grand Slam?

Yes he can, before he rides into the sunset.