MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal, number two in the world, is still struggling with the back injury that knocked out this week’s ATP Cup but is hoping for some improvement ahead of his first Championship game. Australia Open Tuesday.
The 20-hour Grand Slam champion pulled out of the Spanish ATP Cup tie against Australia on Tuesday with a lower back problem and said later in the week that he was still far from the level required for play at the first Grand Slam of the year.
Asked about his fitness, the 34-year-old told reporters on Sunday: “Obviously not good, because if I hadn’t, I would have played at the ATP Cup,” he added. that he had been “suffering” for 15 days.
“I am doing everything possible to be ready for it. That ‘s the only thing I can say. Today, I still hope to continue and I hope to be ready for it. ”
Nadal, who has consistently suffered from back injuries throughout his life, said he had no plans to pull out of this year’s first Grand Slam.
“I don’t think about not playing,” he said. “It’s about what state I’m going to start in, isn’t it?
“It’s not bad, but the muscle is still tight, so it’s hard to play with freedom of movement today. Hopefully the situation will continue to improve.
“We do everything. My physio is here, the doctors here, everyone is helping me in every way possible. “
Nadal said he suffered the injury during quarantine but was unsure whether the 14 lonely days at the Adelaide hotel had added to his problem.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t want to think about that. That is what happened. I usually find no excuses or reasons as to why this other thing is happening. ”
With Roger Federer deciding to team up for this year’s Australian Open as he surpasses surgeries, the door is open for Nadal to move out of touch with his big rival on 20 a professional Grand Slam title.
Nadal has won the Australian Open just once, in 2009, but played the longest-ever Grand Slam final against Novak Djokovic in 2012 at Melbourne Park and lost the 2014 title-final to Stan Wawrinka after injuring his back.
The Spaniard plans to start his campaign on Tuesday with a first-round match against Serbian Laslo Djere.
“I hope to be ready, that’s it,” he said. “I know sometimes things change quickly. I’m going to keep going positive and do everything I can. ”
Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Edited by Peter Rutherford