Australian Open: Rafael Nadal doesn't think about not playing
Rafael Nadal could not play a match at the ATP Cup in Melbourne due to a back injury. His start at the Australian Open is still out of the question.
by SID
last edit: Feb 07, 2021, 01:23 pm
Despite persistent back problems, Spanish tennis superstar Rafael Nadal is expecting a start at the Australian Open. "I don't think about not playing," said the Grand Slam record champion at a press conference on Sunday, even if the pain had been with him for 15 days. "I hope I'll be ready," emphasized Nadal: "That's all."
Due to problems in the lower back, the 34-year-old skipped the ATP Cup for Spain this week. Nadal's first round match at the Australian Open, which the 20-time major winner has only been able to win once (2009), is on Tuesday against the Serbian Laslo Djere.
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"I'm training again. I've done a lot to recover," continued Nadal: "It's nothing serious, but the muscles are still tense, so it's difficult to play with freedom of movement. Let's hope that the situation is getting better. We're doing everything. My physio is here, the doctors are here, everyone is helping me in every possible way. "
Nadal's last official match so far was in November in the semi-finals of the ATP finals in London against the Russian Daniil Medvedev . Last week he defeated Austria's US Open champion Dominic Thiem in a show fight in Adelaide. At the Australian Open, Nadal wants to become the sole Grand Slam record winner with another triumph and then 21 victories. So far, he has shared this title with Swiss Roger Federer , who is missing in Melbourne.