Former world number one Rafael Nadal had been out of the tennis tour for seven months, but he returned from injury with a win and a warning to his rivals.
“I’m only a year older than (Novak) Djokovic and (Andy) Murray. Maybe it’s not time to bury me yet,” Nadal said in an interview with L’Equipe .
“I have not forgotten how to play tennis. I think I can reach the level I used to have.”
On Wednesday Nadal returned to competitive tennis with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Argentine Federico Delbonis on clay in the Chilean seaside town of Vina del Mar.
“I felt good, very happy to play a singles tournament again. It was a very important and very beautiful afternoon for me,” Nadal said.
“After seven months the first match is always very tough. At the beginning it was hard, Federico played at a high level, made me run a lot. But I’m happy because my knee stood it well,” he said.
“I need time, I need days. The most important thing for me nowadays is to spend as many hours as possible on court,” Nadal said.
The tournament is grateful to have a rare top player, and the capacity crowd give him their wholehearted support. Nadal obliges in full colour — in orange shoes and a purple shirt — and he admits spectators are making him feel “like a Chilean” with their cheer.
