Rafael Nadal is back at practice and apparently good to go for the lucrative Abu Dhabi exhibition late in December followed by a January schedule that includes the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
For the first time this offseason, Nadal posted a photo of himself practicing.
👇🏻💪🏻 entrenamiento, practice! pic.twitter.com/z0nQNQvWnv
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 10, 2018
The second-ranked Spaniard has been sidelined since retiring from his U.S. Open semifinal match against Juan Martin Del Potro. He missed the entire fall swing, including Masters 1000 events in Shanghai and Paris plus the Nitto ATP Finals due to various injuries–ankle, abdominal, and hip.
“Rafael took the decision to correct a problem he was having in training and the federation doctor recommended he do so,” Toni Nadal noted. “When I spoke to him his intention was to start training again around 4th or 5th December, and he will have more than a month to arrive in good conditions for the Australian Open.”
With Nadal healthy, Novak Djokovic in borderline dominant form, and Roger Federer reigning as the two-time defending champion, the Australian Open figures to be especially intriguing in 2019.
“I’ve been in touch with Rafa and he’s back to full fitness after cutting his season short after Paris and can’t wait to arrive in Australia,” tournament director Craig Tiley said in a press release. “And there are so many contenders who have the game, fitness and ability to break through on the men’s side. Kei Nishikori has had an incredible year, as have Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson. The young guns [Alexander] Zverev, Dominic Thiem, David Goffin, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all on the cusp of a breakthrough at this level.”
Before those festivities get underway, Nadal is set for the Abu Dhabi tournament along with Djokovic, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Karen Khachanov, and Hyeon Chung. It takes place Dec. 27-29.
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