Rafael Nadal: Return to Indian Wells - maybe even in Acapulco
Rafael Nadal performed for the first time in his native Manacor on Wednesday after his sensational Australian Open victory. And talked about his plan for the coming weeks.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Feb 03, 2022, 12:26 pm
Rafael Nadal showed last Sunday in a form that had rarely been seen before, what has distinguished the great fighter from Manacor over the past twenty years: the willingness to leave everything on the pitch. Regardless of what might happen to him in the weeks that followed.
And was successful with it. At the Australian Open, the bull from Manacor probably celebrated the most surprising Grand Slam triumph of his career so far, made a fabulous comeback against the big favorite Daniil Medvedev - and after a full five hours and 24 minutes he not only celebrated a victory over the second in the world rankings from Russia. But also a victory over his own body.
Now the complaints after the heroic fight in Melbourne do not seem to be tragic, as the Spaniard is already talking about his plans for the coming weeks. Upon his arrival in Manacor on Wednesday, Nadal confirmed that he wanted to return to the ATP tour in Indian Wells in early March at the latest. Although the body is still the big inconstant in the 21-time major winner.
Nadal plans early preparation on clay
"I'll have to wait and see how my body reacts over the next few days and then we'll analyze things calmly. Currently my schedule is Acapulco & Indian Wells," explained Nadal. With the addition: “I would say that I will be in Indian Wells if there is no problem and as far as Acapulco is concerned, there is still time because it is in two weeks, but we have to wait and see,” emphasized the fifth in the world rankings.
A start in Miami is currently not an issue for the Mallorcan, who instead wants to prepare in time for the clay court season in Europe. Especially since the Spaniard there - at the French Open - is considered the top favorite for the 22nd Grand Slam title in view of the performances Down Under. What would be a very important success, as Nadal himself emphasized in Manacor that 21 major titles are all well and good, but ultimately could not be enough for a place at the top of the all-time Grand Slam list.