MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal brushed apart questions in regards to the Australian Open quarantine on Sunday and mentioned it was time to get right down to the enterprise of enjoying tennis and entertaining followers around the globe.
The 34-year-old, who secured his twentieth Grand Slam title ultimately yr’s delayed French Open, accomplished his two weeks of isolation in Adelaide on Friday earlier than enjoying an exhibition match after which heading to Melbourne.
“Once we arrived right here, we have now this quarantine. However I believe that is over. It is the second to start out speaking about tennis,” the world quantity two informed reporters on Sunday.
“That is why we got here right here. To play tennis, to attempt to give to the followers around the globe and to the followers right here in Australia a very good present. For among the people who find themselves struggling rather a lot at residence, we attempt to have a very good leisure for them.”
Nadal will get his first style of aggressive motion for the season when he spearheads Spain’s problem for the ATP Cup, which makes a much-delayed begin in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Spain misplaced the ATP Cup last to Novak Djokovic’s Serbia final yr and Nadal mentioned he and his staff mates can be doing their finest to go one higher this yr, regardless of the proximity of the event to the Feb. 8 begin of the Australian Open.
“In fact, it is completely different circumstances than final yr. It is a very uncommon scenario for many of us,” he added.
“Most of you which are round tennis is aware of I by no means play the week earlier than a Grand Slam, so it’s a little bit new and it’s unusual scenario.
“However right here I’m, the identical as the remainder of the staff, to strive our greatest in each second. Everyone’s able to play, and to play with very aggressive stage.”
Nadal kicks off his season towards Australia’s Alex de Minaur in an ATP Cup Group B singles match on Rod Laver Area on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney; Enhancing by William Mallard)
