USA Today via Reuters
Aug 4, 2021; Washington, DC, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during a match against Jack Sock of the United States (not pictured) during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 4, 2021; Washington, DC, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during a match against Jack Sock of the United States (not pictured) during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Everybody and even their neighbor have been looking forward to Spanish legend Rafael Nadal kick off his 2022 season. Sadly, Nadal had contracted the coronavirus earlier in December 2021 after his small stint at the Mubadala WTC.
However, things look on track for the Spaniard ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open. Even though his illness cast doubts over his presence in the major, he has been recovering quickly.
Rafael Nadal is present and locked in for the Summer of Tennis
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Not only did Nadal’s participation in the Australian Open become doubtful, but also in the warm-up tournaments leading up to it. However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion continued working out through his illness in order to speed up his recovery.
via Getty
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05. Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a shot during a match against Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Day 6 during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
A recent update on his Australian tour came via a source on Twitter. It confirmed that Rafael Nadal would fly out to Australia for the Melbourne 250 summer set.
Of course, this means that he did finally test negative from the virus, which is good news. Furthermore, his presence is now known for sure at the ATP 250 event in Melbourne. The Melbourne Summer Set and the ATP Cup will simultaneously go on in the first week of the year.
However, not only will Rafael Nadal be playing the singles events in Melbourne, but also the doubles events! He will be playing the doubles at the Melbourne 250 event alongside compatriot and World No. 77 Jaume Munar.
Melbourne 250 Doubles update:
IN: Munar/Nadal, Bagnis/Zapata Miralles, Hijikata/O’Connell (on-site)— Other List Updates (@OtherLists) December 31, 2021
Thus, fans of the Spaniard will get to see him play not only by himself on the slopes, but also alongside a doubles partner. The 35-year-old has won 11 career titles in doubles tennis.
ALSO READ: WOW! Rafael Nadal Has Started His Training Already Despite Testing Positive
Nadal will be the top seed to beat at the Melbourne ATP 250
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 5, 2021; Washington, DC, USA; Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after a play against Lloyd Harris of South Africa (not pictured) during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
With other star players like Reilly Opelka and Grigor Dimitrov, the ATP 250 event in Melbourne will begin its main draw on the 4th of January. Rafael Nadal will be the top-seeded player at the tournament.
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2022 Melbourne Summer Set ATP Entry List with Nadal, Opelka, Dimitrov (Last Update – 29-12) #Tennis https://t.co/YVIjHP1XdI pic.twitter.com/KcHNfXyDQV
— TennisUpToDate (@TennisUpToDate2) December 29, 2021
It is noteworthy how Nadal chose to skip participating in the ATP CUP. Instead, he chose to head into a tournament in order to focus on some real and tough competition ahead of the Australian Open.
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Clearly, the Spaniard is just as excited about facing top players across the net as his fans are to see him in those battles.
DIVE DEEPER: WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas Has The Eye of The Tiger as He Trains Hard Ahead of Australian Open 2022
