via Reuters
Tennis – ATP 250 – Melbourne Summer Set – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 4, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal is escorted past fans after winning his doubles match with Jaume Munar against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez and Tomas Martin Etcheverry REUTERS/Loren Elliott
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP 250 – Melbourne Summer Set – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 4, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal is escorted past fans after winning his doubles match with Jaume Munar against Argentina’s Sebastian Baez and Tomas Martin Etcheverry REUTERS/Loren Elliott
The Australian Summer of Tennis is finally underway, and fans of tennis couldn’t be more grateful. Fan-favorite stars like Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, and now, even Novak Djokovic have made their way to Australia to bring in the new season.
However, the Australian Open and the warm-up tournaments that precede it have been marred in speculation around the pandemic. In fact, with an increasing number of cases all over the world again, many players, too, have fallen sick.
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Moreover, Rafael Nadal himself fell ill from the virus after his exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago.
Rafael Nadal refuses to sign autographs for fans
Even though he has recovered, Nadal is now going the extra mile to ensure prevention. The 20-time Grand Slam champion is extremely careful in following hygiene and sanitary rules.
via Getty
Rafael Nadal in tears as he awaits the trophy presentation after his win against Danill Medvedev in the Men’s Singles Final on Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2019 US Open Tennis Tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 8th, 2019 in Flushing, Queens, New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
After his training on the courts during the Melbourne Summer Set, Rafael Nadal refused to sign autographs. Furthermore, he also apologized to the fans for not being able to do so.
“I’m sorry guys, I will not be signing,” Nadal says as he refrains from holding any pens from fans. The video even shows a fan understanding the situation. “That’s okay, thank you Rafa!” she says, after Nadal explains his predicament.
While many players sometimes refuse to sign autographs even when situations regarding health aren’t in the picture, Nadal stands apart with his class.
Pendant qu’il y en a qui passe entre les piquouzes, Rafa Nadal s’excuse platement de ne pas pouvoir signer des autographes après son entraînement sur les courts de l’open d’Australie à cause des règles sanitaires.
C’est ça la classe. pic.twitter.com/mQih9VMeEZ— Benoit Maylin (@BenoitMaylin) January 4, 2022
Clearly, the 35-year-old star recognizes how long it has been since fans saw big tennis stars. Nevertheless, he sticks to the rules.
Rafa wins his first competitive match on tour
In the round of 32 in Melbourne, Rafael Nadal won his doubles match alongside compatriot Jaume Munar. The two Spaniards faced Argentinians Tomas Etcheverry and Sebastian Baez.
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Make way for Don Rafa Nadal & Munar 🇪🇸🇪🇸🔥🔥🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/1n5ewN37cK
— Erlita ⭐️®️⭐️ (@Rafaerl_ita) January 4, 2022
Nadal and Munar won the contest in three sets, going 6-3, 3-6, 10-4 to advance to the round of 16. Thus, they will now meet Andrey Golubev and Franko Skugor in their next match.
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On the other hand, Rafa is yet to play his first singles match, which will be against aginst Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis in the men’s round of 16. How far do you think Rafael Nadal will be able to go this Australian Open?
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