Nadal suffered from Covid
But this game could also be a significant one statements of the now 35-year-old Spaniard. Can he be expected again at this tournament? So far, no one knows for sure. After all: He is in the upper half of the tournament tableau, in which number one, Novak Djokovic, had ingloriously taken himself out of the tournament. The next big opponent in his field is Alexander Zverev – whom he can meet in the quarterfinals.
Nadal is successful on the hard court returned. He had to sit out half a year due to a foot injury and added this new injury to a long list of ailments that had repeatedly plagued his career. He also had to get through a Covid disease shortly before he down under had flown. “I was very ill during Covid. The sensations were not good in these seven days, especially the first four days which were quite hard”said Nadal.
No permanent maximum load
But he’s fought back again, looking slimmer, less muscular than last year. And he won ahead of Grand Slam in Melbourne a tournament in the 250 category at the same location. Less physical mass, more suppleness characterize him these days Melbourne both Australian Open out. “I played a little golf”, Nadal said about his preparation for the season, amusing the audience.
In fact, his arms in particular seem less pronounced than in previous years. “I was never someone who liked going to the weight room”said Nadal. Ahead of this season, he seems to have actually acted out his aversion to the weights. Also because his body keeps playing tricks on him.
“I’m a fan of playing”, he said, admitting that he only lifted weights for an hour to an hour and a half every few days. Apparently, his body no longer allows permanent maximum loads on a regular basis. “Sometimes I was able to train well, sometimes not. I wanted to be able to work, sometimes with tennis, sometimes in the weight room.”, according to Nadal.
Do you have enough strength for five sentences?
However, Zverev had a joint training session with the Spaniards in the run-up to the Australian Open However, a completely different impression and attested to Nadal’s good form, which he has also demonstrated so far. However: Nobody – not even Nadal – knows what the power would look like if the Spaniard had to play an intensive match over five sets. The last time he had was last summer at the French Open to master this physical challenge. Half an eternity away.
Can he win his 21st Grand Slam title in Australia? “It’s obvious that nothing is clear”, said Nadal, who is apparently also a lucky bag himself.