Rafael Nadal Urges ‘Patience’ After Uncertainties Loom Over the Australian Open 2021 Schedule

Rafael Nadal ended his maiden ATP Finals bid after he lost to Daniil Medvedev in a tough semifinal contest. That ended his 2020 season and now, the Mallorcan looks forward to a rejuvenated 2021 season. However, the start of the 2021 season is still uncertain with multiple roadblocks threatening the Australian Open.

The decision regarding the dates of the 2021 Australian Open is still pending. Player quarantine and when they can land in Australia has to be decided before a decision on the dates can be made. After his semifinal, Nadal also reiterated that everybody has to patiently wait for any clarity on the Grand Slam.

“We need to wait about what the government from Victoria says, we can’t do much from ATP position just wait. We are nobody to say what they feels is better for his country now. So we just need to be patient and accept the situation that we are facing,” Nadal said.

The problem for the Australian Open organizers is that the government has restricted the players from entering Australia in December. Hence, Tennis Australia has to fix a date that can accommodate the mandatory 14-day quarantine and give players time to practice as well. The traditional Australian Open date of mid-January looks highly unlikely now.

Rafael Nadal on being helping tournaments and lower-ranked players

“We have to help the tournaments and the players with lower rank to keep having jobs and at the same time all the people who are around so let’s try to be flexible. Hopefully with the vaccine, that ends soon and we can come back at least to close to normal.”

Moving over to Nadal’s ATP Finals exit, the Spaniard had a tough outing against Medvedev. He never looked settled and was always on the edge. Rafa did get a chance to serve for the match, but Medvedev made a brilliant comeback and later had the upper hand in the final set.

Anyway, looking back at his 2020, Rafa will be happy, having won the all-important 13th French Open title, making it his 20th Grand Slam title.

Read More: “Other Stuff Doesn’t Matter”: Rafael Nadal Rubbishes His Inability to Win ATP Finals Due to the Court Surface