'She said that she lost the..': Rafael Nadal harshly dismisses comeback comparison with Naomi Osaka

Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, has described why his and former world number one Naomi Osaka's comebacks are so different, stating he never lost his love for the game. Nadal will make his return to singles action at the Brisbane International in Australia.

3 things you need to know

• Rafael Nadal to mark his single's return with Brisbane International tournament
• Nadal officially made his comeback on December 31, 2023, with a double's encounter
• Nadal incurred a hip injury during Australian Open 2023

Also Read | Naomi Osaka wins opening match on return

Rafael Nadal on comeback comparison with Naomi Osaka

Nadal and Osaka are both making their comebacks in Brisbane. While Nadal was recovering from an injury, Osaka had taken a hiatus after the birth of her daughter.

“I think Naomi and I are in completely different situations. I think Naomi, if I'm not wrong, she said that she lost a bit the love for the game for a while and the passion, something that never happened to me. So that’s the biggest difference. I had to be away because my body was not able to keep going,” said Nadal.

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Considered retiring but did not give up

He went on to claim that he considered retiring during his time away from the game, but he was determined to keep playing. In his return encounter at the Brisbane International, Nadal will face Dominic Thiem.

“Did I think about retirement during that period of time? Of course, yes. I had to go through a lot of things to be back. In the low moments, it's 100% human to put yourself in a position to say, okay, I have to be back at 37 years old, knowing probably I will not be healthy enough to compete the way that I wanted to. Of course I was asking myself. At some point I decided to keep going. I had the determination to keep going,” Nadal added.

The Spaniard expressed his excitement to be back on the court and to see what happens. During his recuperation to get fit, Nadal missed the French Open, US Open, and Wimbledon. He also fell out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years during this time.

“I just tried to work day by day without thinking much, just doing the things that I had to do, expect the things go well. Here we are. I don't know what's going to happen. The only thing is I am happy I’m here in a position to come back again on a professional tour. I’m excited about what can happen,” said Nadal.

Nadal is also set to make his return to Grand Slams when he will take part in the Australian Open, which is set to begin on January 14.