Rafael Nadal - Realist or Pessimist?
Rafael Nadal does not believe that professional tennis will make a comeback this year. This was explained by the world ranking second in an interview with a Spanish daily newspaper.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 06, 2020, 11:40 am
While tennis will be allowed to be played nationwide in Germany again starting next Monday, some countries that were hit far worse by the corona pandemic will be slower. And of course this only affects hobby players. At the moment, the scene still seems to be a long way from a professionally run tennis circus, such as the fans have recently seen with the men in Dubai.
National attempts are however ante portas, in Austria the "Austrian Pro Series" starts on May 25th, with Dominic Thiem and Dennis Novak at least two top 100 players to start, in Germany Jan-Lennard Struff, Philipp Kohlschreiber and others expected at a similar event. Tennis, however, thrives on its worldwide appeal, the tableaus staffed by professionals from many nations.
Nadal hopes for 2021
And in this regard, Rafael Nadal, who finished 2019 at number one in the ATP world rankings and is currently second only to Novak Djokovic, sees no positive signs on the horizon. "I hope we will come back before the end of the year, but I don't believe in it," Nadal told El Pais daily. "I am more concerned about the Australian Open than what will happen in late 2020. I really hope we can get started early next year. ”
In fact, there have been reports in the past few days that Tennis Australia is already considering the possibility of canceling the traditional first major of the season. And that after there were justified doubts about the hosting of the Australian Open this year due to the bush fires.