Rafael Nadal inspired by Andy Murray's "positive example of passion"

In 2007, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray met for the first time in the round of 16 of the Australian Open. The Spaniard would prevail in five sets on that day.

Nearly 17 years later, the two are still at it on the ATP Tour. For the 22-time major champion, who made his first appearance in 11 months Sunday night alongside Marc Lopez at the Brisbane International, he’s inspired by Murray’s appetite to compete years after returning from a major hip operation.

“When you achieve all the things that Andy achieved for such a long time, and coming back knowing it will be super difficult to come back to that level of tennis and accept the challenge and accept the situation, it's something that goes beyond the tennis, no?” commented Nadal, as he prepares to make his 2024 singles debut following his own left hip injury layoff.

“It's a very positive example of passion and positive example for the kids about how somebody we had almost everything he wanted, he achieved almost everything, he hold the passion for his game and for his work at the end. That's a very positive example.”

Murray has hopes of crossing paths with the left-hander—as well as Novak Djokovic—in a match setting after sharing the biggest stadiums in the sport on numerous occasions with his fellow warriors. The Brit hasn’t played Nadal since 2016 or Djokovic since 2017.

“If I get the opportunity to practice with them, I still really, really enjoy that. It does bring back some good memories,” Murray told press after training with Nadal. “But ideally, I'd want to be doing that in the tournaments, not in the first rounds. I'd like to be doing it in the latter stages, if I can.”

Murray’s 2024 preparation didn’t quite go as smoothly as hoped. He went into the off-season with a shoulder problem, then got sick when he arrived in Dubai for his training program. Sparring with the likes of Nadal Down Under is exactly what he needs going into the new year.

“I didn't get the opportunity to play that many sets and stuff in the off-season. I had a couple of issues physically,” said the 36-year-old. “It's great for me to come out and get to play against him at that sort of intensity, play sets and matches against those guys. It's brilliant.”

Added Nadal, “Before the tournament start, I feel ready to compete. Then what can happen in the competition, I can't know.”

In Monday’s night session, Murray meets second seed Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian won their most recenter encounter in emphatic fashion at the 2023 US Open. Nadal is expected to play Tuesday against Dominic Thiem, who came through qualifying after surviving three match points in his first of two matches in that stage.

Murray and Nadal are both in the bottom half of the draw, and will need to reach the semifinals if they are to square off for the 25^th time (Nadal leads 17-7).