Nadal won’t talk about retirement before Australian Open

As part of his build up for next month’s Australian Open, Spain’s 22-time Grand Slam winner lost 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Norrie to give Great Britain a 2-0 lead about Spain. The Briton had not won a set against Rafael Nadal in his previous four matches, and the 36-year-old was later asked how much longer he intended to continue before ending his storied career. “Every time I come to a press conference, I feel like I have to retire,” the Spaniard told reporters. “You are very, very interested in my retirement.” “At the moment it’s not. When that day comes I’ll let you know. But don’t talk about retiring because I’m here to continue playing tennis,” he said. With just over two weeks into his Australian Open title defense, the Spaniard knows he’ll have to improve on his performance over the one he provided against Cameron Norrie. “I have to be physically faster and a little more solid,” he said. Nadal will be back on the court on Sunday at the United Cup, taking part in a doubles match with Paula Badosa against Daniel Evans and Harriet Dart. (Belgian)