Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open 2022? Isn't set in stone yet
After his comeback in Abu Dhabi, will Rafael Nadal also start the season opener in Melbourne? He's not quite sure yet.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Dec 19, 2021, 11:07 am
Two matches were in for Rafael Nadal at the invitation tournament in Abu Dhabi, it set two defeats - one against Andy Murray ,the other against Denis Shapovalov . Still, it was a good test run for Rafa, who had been incapacitated since his foot injury at the French Open - apart from a brief interlude in Washington (after which he had to go under the knife).
So everything is going well for a splendid start to the season in 2022? Yes and no. Because Nadal did not want to give a fixed commitment for the Australian Open. "I have to speak to my team. To be 100 percent honest: I can't guarantee it 100 percent yet," said Nadal before leaving Abu Dhabi with regard to a start in Melbourne .
"The idea is to go there and do my best in Australia, that's the goal and my idea," continued Nadal. But after returning to Spain you first have to see how your body feels after the days in Abu Dhabi. "Then we can make decisions." He looks at this phase of his career and after all the things that he has been through, day by day. "I have to think carefully about every decision."
Rafael Nadal: Time after Roland Garros "a disaster"
After his appearance in Roland Garros it was in a sense "a disaster" as far as his foot was concerned, which didn't even allow him to practice, let alone to play as he wanted, Nadal also looked to his comeback attempt in Washington. "In the end, it was more than six months since my last real official match," said Nadal. "Things are a little complicated and I accept that."
The positive thing, however, is that he was able to keep up in both games in Abu Dhabi and had his chances. "When we put that in perspective, it's a very positive thing."