WATCH: ‘Step by Step’ Covid infected Rafael Nadal starts training at home as he eyes return to Tour


WATCH: ‘Step by Step’ Covid infected Rafael Nadal starts training at home as he eyes return to Tour

Rafael Nadal

World No. 6 Rafael Nadal was one of the players who tested positive for Covid-19 after his stay in Abu Dhabi for the 3-day exhibition event, the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, where he played for the first time since his 3rd round exit at the Washington Open post which he had to end his season due to the foot injury he picked up in French Open.

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Nadal’s plans for the comeback were disrupted after he tested positive for Covid-19 and this might impact his 2022 calendar as he had committed to starting the season in Australia from the ATP-250 competitions that were scheduled in the build-up to the 2022 Australian Open where the Spaniard will be looking for his 21st Grand Slam title.

Back in Spain in Mallorca, Nadal has started training for the next season. The former World No. 1 took to his Instagram handle where he was seen lifting dumbbells lying on the floor. He also added the text, ‘Back to fitness’ work step by step…’ along with tagging his location to his hometown of Mallorca.

Rafael Nadal won’t play the ATP Cup, Australian Open doubtful

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

Nadal had announced well in advance that he won’t be leading Spain into the 2022 ATP Cup as he wanted to maintain fitness going into the Australian Open. Along with Nadal, Spain will also be missing the services of Carlos Alcaraz who had tested positive for Covid-19 at the Davis Cup Finals 2021 and since then has not made any comments about his return.

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With Nadal returning to training, there is some hope for the fans for seeing the former champion back at the Slam but it will all be dependant on the advice of his medical team as he has often talked about making decisions about playing tournaments prioritising his fitness and listening to his body.

Craig Tiley, the tournament director of the Australian Open has already hinted that the Spaniard might actually play the Slam as there is enough time for him to recover and be in time for the Slam but that would be without any prior match practice depending on the quarantine rules of Australia.

Also Read: “Not a chance that Novak Djokovic will go” Former World No. 7 makes a bold prediction on Novak’s participation at the Australian Open