Rafael Nadal will begin his Australian Open title defense as the top seed. However, the Spaniard is far behind his closest rivals in terms of form, having played just 11 games since last August!
Nadal is eager for a good result in Melbourne. He said the results could have been better in the previous two months, hoping to raise his level and fight for the trophy.
Rafa played just two matches in the second half of 2021 and made a perfect comeback in 2022. Nadal won the Australian Open and Roland Garros for the first time in his career, taking his tally to 22 major titles and leaving shoulders Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Rafa was the year-end favorite going into the second half of the season, but that didn’t last. The veteran reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon, seeking his first All England Club trophy since 2010.
However, he suffered a seven millimeter abdominal tear and withdrew after an epic quarterfinal win over Taylor Fritz. Rafa would play just nine games from there for the rest of the season, squandering a chance to become world No. 1 and battling to finish in the top 2 ahead of Casper Ruud.
Rafael Nadal has only played 11 matches since Wimbledon.
Nadal lost to Borna Coric in Cincinnati before reaching the fourth round of the US Open. An abdominal injury returned to hamper him, with a loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open ruining his chances of becoming No. 1.
Rafa has been out for two months, eager to recover and play injury-free. The Spaniard returned to the Paris Masters and ATP Finals and is on a four-game losing streak for the first time in 13 years!
Rafa finished the year with a triumph over Casper Ruud and wanted more to go into 2023. Nadal guided Spain to the inaugural United Cup and suffered defeats to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur, both one set ahead of Rafa he arrived in Melbourne early, with ample time to train at the Rod Laver Arena and get back into shape before the first Major of the season.
“It’s true, I haven’t been able to play my best tennis in the last two months. I’ve lost two matches in Sydney, but I’m not disappointed with my preparation. I have to win matches to win with confidence, but the preparation is going well.
I’ve been training a lot and I’m in good shape. I have to prove it in competitive matches and I’m ready after a week of productive training. I am happy to be back in Melbourne. I had an unforgettable trip here last year” Rafael Nadal said.
