Rafael Nadal spoke to the media in Sydney, where the Spanish team is in the group stage of the United Cup. He talked to Paula Badosa, Pablo Carreño, Nuria Párrizas, David Vega and Jessica Bouzas, with his coach Marc López as captain in this event that will open the 2023 season as the start of the tour towards the Australian Open.
The manacorí has trained in Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena, where he will debut on December 31 against the British Cameron Norrie. An official match, which counts in the record and distributes points for the ATP world ranking.
On January 2 he had to face Nick Kyrgiosbut will be his rival alex deminaur after the unexpected loss of that one, officially due to a last-minute injury.
A year ago, Rafa Nadal arrived in Australia with many doubts as he was out for half of 2021 due to persistent excruciating pain in his left foot. The problem that he solved at Roland Garros with anesthesia and he was completely relieved by the pulsed radiofrequency technique.
Despite a long period without competing, he chained ATP 250 titles in Melbourne and the Australian Open, a Grand Slam he won for the second time in his career after a heroic comeback against the Russian. Daniel Medvedev.
At 36, already a father, Nadal returned to the antipodes with unknowns to clear. A double abdominal muscle tear, during Wimbledon and at the start of the US Open, halted his trajectory late in the course.
“The last few months have not been easy for me. My main goal now is to find a good feeling on the pitch, to be competitive. I hope so,” he commented on his current United Cup and thinking about the Australian Open.
In further comments for the future, he assured that “I don’t think it will be my last time here. IM happy with what Im doing. I want to keep it going.” He hopes to have more experiences in Australia, although he also says “you never know when it will be the last time.”
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On his way this time he will not meet again Novak Djokovicwho prefers to play the Adelaide ATP 250, at the same time as the United Cup. He is already in this Australian town, not twelve months after being deported from the country as a result of anti-covid measures and not being vaccinated.
“It’s good for tennis there, maybe for the fans too,” said Nadal when asked about it.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
