"Looking good" - Michael Phelps praises Rafael Nadal’s swimming workout as he trains for his tennis return

Legendary swimmer Michael Phelps recently complimented Rafael Nadal’s swimming workout as the Spaniard prepares for a comeback.

Battling a serious hip injury, the 37-year-old had retreated from the spotlight, focusing on his rehabilitation. He recently went through surgery to tackle the problem but now faces a lengthy recovery process as he eyes a possible return.

On September 14, Nadal took to Instagram to offer a glimpse into his training regimen, sharing an image of himself gracefully swimming off the coast of Porto Cristo.

"Working," he wrote, followed by a swimming and a check-mark emoji.

Just when the Spaniard's fans were soaking in the excitement of his potential comeback, a surprise endorsement came from an unexpected quarter. On Sunday, September 17, Phelps added his voice to the chorus of encouragement.

The American shared the 22-time Major winner's swimming picture on his Instagram story with an enthusiastic caption:

"Looking good Rafa!!"

The 37-year-old is expected to make his comeback to tennis next year, possibly at the Australian Open in January. He has not played a competitive match since losing in the second round to Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Australian Open.

Following that loss, Nadal withdrew from the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships, the US Open, and other subsequent tournaments.

"Novak Djokovic is a great champion and it will be very difficult to reach him, not only for Rafael Nadal but for anyone" - Uncle Toni

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the 2010 US Open final

Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni recently said it will be difficult for his nephew or anyone else to win as many Grand Slam titles as Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic is the first male tennis player to win 24 Grand Slam titles, having tied Margaret Court for the most Majors overall by winning the 2023 US Open. Nadal is currently two Majors behind his arch-rival.

Toni told Spanish media outlet El Desmarque:

"Djokovic is a great champion and it will be very difficult to reach him, not only for my nephew, but for anyone. I think in the world of sport if we go by the numbers, Djokovic is without a doubt the best."

The veteran coach also gave an update on the Spaniard's possible comeback at the 2024 Australian Open.

"Rafa is fine, recovering. If everything goes well, he wants to return to the courts for the 2024 Australian Open," he said.

Nadal recently became the first tennis player in history to have 20 million followers on Instagram.

About the author

Shashank, a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, joined the company about a year and a half ago. Despite his background in software engineering, his passion for the sport drove him to switch gears and dive into full-time journalism before which he worked as a tech writer.

With over 1000 articles and nearly 4 million views under his belt at SK, his stories stand out thanks to his deep dives into match stats, player tactics, and historical patterns, offering readers a fresh take every time. Above all, he is meticulous, making sure to double-check information from reliable sources before sharing it.

In Shashank's view, there's no room for debate: Novak Djokovic reigns supreme as the ultimate GOAT. He draws inspiration from the Serb's resilience, hard work, and relentless attitude, channeling those qualities into his own work.

Outside of his tennis musings, he finds joy in hitting the court himself, exploring new destinations during his travels, and watching movies.

Know More

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

Edited by Pritha Ghosh