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His last competitive action came on 28th June
Nadal prepares to hold court again

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11/20/2012

Rafa Nadal finally has something to smile about. The Mallorca-born world no.4 has been sidelined since falling in the Wimbledon second round, but returned to the court, racket in hand, on Tuesday. This is a big step on his path to recovery from the knee injury that forced him to miss practically the entire second half of the season.

On 28th June 2012, shockwaves were sent through the tennis world when Rafa Nadal was sent packing from Wimbledon by Lukas Rosol. A few days later, it was revealed that the Mallorcan ace had been playing through the pain barrier owing to a long-standing tendinitis problem in his knees, and the multi-Grand Slam champion made the decision to take a break from competitive action, refusing to set a comeback date.

As a result, Nadal missed the Olympic Games, where he was supposed to carry the Spanish flag, as well as the US Open, the ATP World Tour Finals and Davis Cup semi-final and final.

Now, just 48 hours after his Spain teammates lost out in the final of the latter competition at Prague's O2 arena, a racket-wielding Rafa made his court comeback as he put his knee through the paces.

Overseen, as ever, by his uncle and mentor, Toni Nadal, and also accompanied by his friend and hitting partner Tomeu Salvà, Rafa's return came on an indoor court in Manacor. It was a gentle session, during which he tested how his knees responded to his movement, before concluding – as is his wont – with some serving practice.

marca.com