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
Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…
Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…
Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…
Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…
Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…
Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…