"It has surprised me physically, but not mentally; he's hungrier than any other athlete on this planet" - Chris Evert on Rafael Nadal's comeback

Tennis great Chris Evert has said Rafael Nadal's superb comeback to start the 2022 season has not surprised her from a mental standpoint. The 18-time Major champion believes the legendary Spaniard is "hungrier than any other athlete on this planet."

The 35-year-old has made an unbeaten 15-0 start to the year, triumphing in all three tournaments he has played so far. He won the Melbourne Summer Set and Australian Open titles in January, before claiming the Mexican Open crown last month.

Coming into 2022, the World No. 4 had not competed since losing in the second round of the Citi Open in August due to a foot injury. That appearance in Washington was the first since his defeat to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of Roland Garros in June.

The 21-time Grand Slam winner is set to play for the first time since winning at Acapulco at the Indian Wells Masters. He will face American Sebastian Korda in the second round.

Speaking to Eurosport, Evert discussed the Mallorcan's outstanding return to the tour this year following his injury struggles in 2021.

"I am surprised his body has held up as well as it has, because of the way he plays," Evert said. "He has to exert more energy on the court in practice and in his matches than any other top player. And it's gruelling the way he competes and practices. And I think he's made some adjustments to his practice. And I think the time off in between injuries that he's had in the last few years has helped him to take a break."

"It has surprised me physically, but on the other hand, it hasn't surprised me mentally at all," Evert added. "Because he's hungrier than any other athlete on this planet and he has a passion for tennis unlike any. And it shows in everything that he does. So it doesn't surprise me mentally."

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev are the two favorites to win Indian Wells: Chris Evert

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev during the trophy presentation for the 2022 Australian Open men's singles final

Chris Evert also expressed her view that Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal are the two favorites to win the 2022 Indian Wells Masters men's singles event. Evert does not believe the 2022 Australian Open final between the Spaniard and the Russian will have a bearing if the pair meet at the Masters 1000 event.

"Medvedev and Nadal are right now the two favorites of Indian Wells," Evert said. "I think they're pretty close. Personally, since it's two out of three sets, I think that's pretty much erased (the Australian Open final). I would think that a champion mentality can erase that. It's been enough time. It's not like [it is] the next week they're playing each other."

"I think more importantly, Nadal, since he took that break, has been hungrier," Evert continued. "And when you take time off, you really are a little more alert, a little more focused, a little fresher. And I think Nadal came back pretty strong after his foot injury. If they were to face off, I think it would be more about Nadal's current form and the fact that the court is a little bit slower that would affect Medvedev. I don't think the thought of the Australian Open would affect him as much."

The 35-year-old came from two sets to love down to defeat Medvedev in an epic five-set Australian Open final in January. He then downed the recently-crowned World No. 1 in straight sets in the Mexican Open semifinals last month. The duo could face off for a third straight tournament in the last four in Indian Wells.