Laura Robson says Rafael Nadal plans to resume playing in Doha

If Laura Robson's reporting is accurate, Day 1 of the Australian Open was a win for Rafael Nadal fans, even though their favorite player didn't enter the tournament.

During a hit for Eurosport from Melbourne, the 29-year-old former player told viewers that the veteran Spaniard, who withdrew from the season's first Slam with a “micro tear on a muscle,” could be back competing on tour in about a month's time.

"Being boots on the ground, I've been chatting away to some Spanish coaches over the last 48 hours," said Robson, "and last I heard the plan was for [Nadal] to restart in Doha, which is actually just around the corner."

The Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha begins on February 19, and the speedy return would jive with Nadal's comments that “this is not very bad news and we all remain positive with the evolution for the season.”

Last we saw Nadal, he was in discomfort during his Brisbane quarterfinal against Jordan Thompson, after scoring his first two match wins since January 2023.

"Clearly the injury isn't that bad, he's going to manage it," said Robson. "Whether he actually plays [Doha], we'll see, but the fact that he's even hopeful to be out there that quickly after withdrawing from the Aussie Open is really great news."

Doha is a hard-court tournament, and if Nadal does return to action in February, he could elect to compete on clay in South America. Some analysts believe that Nadal would choose to resume playing on his preferred surface, rather than potentially endure additional wear on hard courts.

No additional reports of Nadal's potential return have surfaced.