Mouratoglou has his doubts over Nadal comeback

Rafael Nadal’s injury comeback could well be a 50-50 proposition, with Patrick Mouratoglou not entirely convinced the 37-year-old will make his injury return to the Tour in 2024.

Nadal last competed in January at the Australian Open but has since suffered with a stubborn abdominal muscle problem which has kept the 22-time Grand Slam winner off the courts.

His camp has suggested that the Spaniard will aim for a return to Australia in January.

“The question mark is, how much injury free will he be in 2024?,” former advisor to Coco Gauff, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune said in a video on his website.

“If he doesn’t have pain and he’s free to play next year, there is no reason to think that he will not be dangerous / the favourite for Roland Garros.”

But Mouratoglou warned: ““Will he be ready to win the Australian Open? 

“Probably he’s gonna be short (of training). He wants to see if he’s able to win a Grand Slam still or if he’s far. 

“If he’s far from the feeling that he can win a Grand Slam, he will probably stop (his career).”

The Frenchman added of the 14-time winner at Roland Garros: “I don’t think he’s gonna play just to be No 20 in the world. 

“But if he feels he can still, I think he will continue. Again, unless he has an injury that we ignore (do not know about).”