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Reuters

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Reuters

How do you make a stunning comeback from an injury? Ask Rafael Nadal, who has returned on the ATP Tour with a bang. The Spaniard was sidelined for the latter half of the previous season owing to an injury. However, he made a strong comeback this year with titles at Melbourne Summer Set and the Australian Open.

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Moreover, the 35-year-old created history by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash. He became the first man to lift 21 Grand Slam singles titles. Deservingly, his come-from-behind victory invited huge rounds of appreciation from the entire tennis fraternity.

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The social media was abuzz with praises for the Spaniard. Recently, even Mischa Zverev, Alexander Zverev’s brother, opened up about Rafael Nadal and drew links between the two stars.

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DIVE DEEPER: ‘Could Give Him Some Fuel’: Darren Cahill Believes Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open Victory Will Ignite Roger Federer’s Drive to Comeback

Mischa Zverev feels Rafael Nadal sets an example for next-gen players

The elder Zverev brother felt that Alexander could not play freely at the Australian Open. He felt that his younger brother got into a stressful situation due to mounting expectations from him. Further, he cited the example of the 21-time Grand Slam champion, who was able to play freely in Melbourne after a long injury break.

He said, “With Rafa, it was the other way around. Emotionally, he was so happy that he could play at all, that his emotional happiness carried him through the tournament, although sometimes he didn’t play his best tennis.”

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Additionally, he also explained the reasons behind Alexander Zverev’s disappointing Australian Open campaign. Mischa added, “He put a lot of pressure on himself. He wanted it so badly that it was his own undoing. He played outstandingly at the ATP Finals in Turin.” Notably, Alexander lost in the 4th round of the Australian Open to Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.

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The World No. 3 would be eager to shrug off his inconsistency and come back stronger in the coming tournaments. He will next be seen in action at Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco, Mexico.

Do you think Alexander Zverev will win his maiden Grand Slam title this year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Vatsal Shah

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Vatsal Shah is a tennis journalist at EssentiallySports, covering ATP and WTA storylines from the ES Trends Desk since 2023. He delivers breaking insights on major tournaments and player arcs, decoding tactical shifts and viral moments into accessible takeaways for fans worldwide. His coverage of Taylor Townsend’s Dubai title win stood out for capturing both the emotional significance of her victory and the context of her comeback. Drawing on his background as a recreational player, Vatsal adds a courtside perspective to his reporting, bringing depth and authenticity to Grand Slam coverage for the ES News Center. By combining sharp observation with a clear, engaging writing style, he ensures that key tennis moments are not only reported but truly understood. Fluent in English, French, and German, as well as three Indian languages, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi, Vatsal connects with a diverse global readership. With his mix of linguistic reach, analytical insight, and passion for the sport, he is carving a niche as a fresh, incisive voice in tennis journalism.

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