Rafael Nadal did not shine in 2021, also due to a series of injuries that limited his performance. A back problem prevented him from making it 100% to the Australian Open, where he was unable to make it past the quarter-finals.
The Spanish champion has returned to his beloved clay, where he has collected a couple of trophies, but has not given the feeling of being as unbeatable as in the past. Sore foot and not in top condition, the 35-year-old from Manacor was unable to win his 14th Roland Garros.
His race ended in the semifinals against Novak Djokovic, who would later take the title. Due to a foot injury, the former world number 1 was forced to miss Wimbledon, the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open (closing his season early).
The Majorcan returned to the Abu Dhabi show, showing that he is still far from 100%. Once back in Spain, Rafa found out he had contracted the Coronavirus. Given the circumstances, the presence of the Iberian in Melbourne is increasingly at risk.
Cash reflects on Rafa Nadal
Asked recently about the exceptional performance, Pat Cash, former Wimbledon winner and big fan of the Spaniard, wondered what would have happened if someone had said such a thing 20 years ago.
And the answer is both funny and revealing of the incredible feat. “Think of a football team that is simply unbeatable in any stadium or someone who wins the Tour de France year after year. Rafael Nadal’s 13 titles at Roland Garros are incredible.
If you had said that 20 years ago, you would have been locked up in a mental hospital.” Tournament director, Craig Tiley is confident about Rafael Nadal and his participation at the Australian Open 2022. Just two days ago, the 20-time Grand Slam winner tested positive for the virus.
The Spaniard has isolated himself and is taking necessary precautions. Tiley said, ” I have confidence in the coming of Rafa Nadal. Players who test positive now will stop being contagious after a while, and there will be no more problems then.
Never being positive is a good thing, but if you want to play the Australian Open, now is the time to catch the virus”. The Spanish star finally returned on the tennis court for an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi in mid-December.
However, his comeback wasn’t great enough as he fell short against the three-time Grand Slam winner, Andy Murray.
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