What does the cryptic crossword clue "Nadal returning? That’s a long way off (4)" mean?

The definition is "off". The wordplay uses a reversal. RAFA (reversal="RAFA") = AFAR; definition: "a long way off" The answer is AFAR.

Nadal returning? That’s a long way off (4)

Independent Cryptic #11770 | 29 Down | 2024-07-01 flower