Sky pundit shares what has shocked him about Rafael Nadal’s performances in Brisbane

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Miles Maclagan has been explaining what left him stunned about Rafael Nadal as the Spaniard continued his comeback in Brisbane.

The British coach was speaking to Sky Sports earlier today.

After Nadal came through a tricky-looking tie with Dominic Thiem on Tuesday, Maclagan noticed something about his performance.

Maclagan explains what shocked him about Rafael Nadal

Given that Nadal is playing in his first tournament in 12 months, this was a decent win on the face of things.

Thiem is the world number 98 but just three years ago he was considered the third-best player in the world.

Nadal brushed the Austrian aside in straight sets on Tuesday, winning the last 32 clash 7-5, 6-1 in the Brisbane Open.

Maclagan was quizzed on how Nadal performed during that game earlier today and there was something that surprised him.

He told Sky Sports: “I expected him to be a little bit rusty at times and put in some unforced errors, maybe a little lack of shot sharpness and movement but there was nothing of the sort.

“He hit the ground running and started the match from the very first point with a big forehand winner then flattened out and he didn’t look back from there.

“It was a quality first set and Theim appeared to run out of ideas and belief that he could get through. He looked sharp, the serve was good, the backhand too. He held the court so well it really looked like he hadn’t been away.”

Nadal back with a bang at Brisbane Open

At 37-years-old, the days of Rafael Nadal turning up to events and coasting to success are perhaps a thing of the past.

However, he’s showcased so far at the Brisbane Open that although form might be temporary, class is undeniably permanent.

Nadal won the Australian Open and the French Open in 2022 and now he will hope to stay fit enough to go deep in Melbourne later this month.

Maclagan was surprised that Nadal didn’t show more signs of being rusty out on the court and the Spanish star will have surely welcomed the comprehensive victory.

Since the pundit made these comments Nadal has won another match. Earlier today he defeated Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2 and will face another Australian, Jordan Thompson, in the last eight.

Nadal will be keen to put his injury problems behind him and these routine victories should give him confidence ahead of the first major of the season.