Pat Cash believes next year will be crucial for Rafael Nadal, who is returning to the Tour after yet again another injury-riddled 2016 season.
Fans could see the end of Nadal's professional tennis career in 2017, according to Cash. Speaking to Sport360, Cash insisted that people need to watch the Mubadala World Tennis Championship on Dec. 29, 2016 in Abu Dhabi because it could be the last time they get to see players like Nadal, who has been the subject of retirement talks following another season filled with injuries and setbacks.
"I think people need to get out there and see some of these players out here this tournament because it may be the last time they get to see Berdych, Tsonga and Nadal play," Cash told Sport360.
Despite showing some glimpse of his old form this year, there were concerns over Nadal's capability to consistently perform at a high level. Nadal's months of time off the sport to recuperate from a recurring left wrist injury initially suffered at the French Open has only fueled talks of the 14-time Grand Slam winner retiring from the sport.
However, the Mallorcan has been ever optimistic about returning to the Tour, insisting that his main motivation next season is getting back to his level and fighting for a Grand Slam title.
"The most important thing to have is enough motivation to work and to have motivation to fight for the thing that you really like," Nadal said, reports the Daily Telegraph. "I don't know if I have the chance to win number 15 but I'm going to fight for it."
After the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, Nadal will commence 2017 in Australia to make his Brisbane International debut before competing at the Australian Open. It will be the first time Nadal stars his season playing at the tournament, where he could face the likes of Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka and Grigor Dimitrov.
"It's going to be the first time in my career that I'm going to play in Australia the first week of the season and I'm really excited about it," Nadal said, reports the ATP's official website.