First modification: 31/01/2021 – 07:46Last modification: 31/01/2021 – 07:44
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Melbourne (AFP)
Rafael Nadal declared himself fit and ready to play on Sunday for tennis fans “suffering” around the world from the coronavirus pandemic.
The Spaniard, who could surpass the 20 Grand Slam titles of the injured Roger Federer if he wins the Australian Open from February 8, begins his season representing Spain in the ATP Cup from Tuesday.
Nadal will hit the slopes at Melbourne Park after completing a 14-day quarantine in Adelaide, where he was allowed to train for up to five hours a day before an exhibition on Friday against US Open champion Dominic Thiem.
“For me personally, the preparation has been positive,” said Nadal. “I have been able to practice about two hours a day in Adelaide. Some days a little more, two hours 15, two hours 20. That’s it.”
“I have done, I think, the things I had to do to be prepared. Now is the time to start playing and practicing with other teammates and see what happens,” he added.
Most of the players are now out of quarantine and the world number two is looking forward to refocusing on tennis, though he is also thinking of those in lockdown around the world.
“When we get here, we have this quarantine. But I think that is over. It is time to start talking about tennis,” he said.
“That is what we have come here for: to play tennis, to try to give to the fans around the world and to the fans here in Australia,” Nadal explained.
“For some of the people who are suffering a lot at home, we try to have good entertainment for them. The only way to achieve it is to go out on the track and do our best,” he said.
© 2021 AFP
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