Richard Gasquet has pronounced longtime rival Rafael Nadal ready for action after sparring sessions at the Spaniard’s training outpost in Kuwait.
Frenchman Gasquet has spent his entire tennis life in contact with Nadal, with both born in the same month of June, 1986.
But Nadal holds undisputed superiority in their rivallry, winning all 18 of their ATP matches but losing to Gasquet in their first meeting in a French Challenger two decades ago.
“Rafa told me that it took a while for him to come back, but I felt like he was no longer in pain,” Gasquet L’Equipe.
“He will be competitive and win matches; there is no doubt about it! He’s been doing three-hour (training) sessions.
“That’s what you have to do, play as much as possible.”
Nadal is due for his first competitive test in nearly a year after an injury-filled 2023; the 37-year-old will make his start at the Brisbane event which starts on New Year’s Eve.
Main photo:- Richard Gasquet won the 2023 Auckland title
American outsider Ann Li produced the upset of her life on Wednesday, taking 10 match points…
Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the…
John McEnroe has used a trip to Spain to come down hard on modern player…
Carlos Alcaraz will headline the field as the Australian Open stages its 1-Point Slam for…
Novak Djokovic is wisely choosing not to tempt fate, with the China Open winner withdrawing…
Novak Djokovic retained his magic touch at the China Open, winning his seventh title without…