Rafael Nadal Promises Tennis Australia He Will Play the Australian Open

Written by: Staff on 28th November 2012

Rafael Nadal Promises Tennis Australia He Will Play the Australian Open

epa03479237 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal during his first training session in Manacor, Balearic Islands, Spain, 20 November 2012, after spending several months off the tennis courts due to a injury. EPA/ISAAC BUJ |

Rafael Nadal has given his word that he will be fit and ready to play the Australian Open, beginning January 14, according to tournament director Craig Tiley.

Nadal has recently returned to full training in Majorca after being forced off the match court since Wimbledon and enduring five months of rest and recuperation because of his chronic left knee injury diagnosed Hoffa syndrome (an inflammation of the fatty tissue surrounding the tendons in the knee joint).

After hearing reports that Nadal was intending to make an exhibition match comeback in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabiu, Tiley spoke to the 26 year-old world no.4 to ascertain the true chances of whether the 2009 champion would be able to play the year’s first Grand Slam event.

“I spoke to Rafa and he is going to be ready to play,” maintained Tiley. “We are fortunate that we start in January. Players have taken some time off so that they are not injured.”

Nadal will play alongside Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in a three-day exhibition in Abu Dhabi that runs from December 27 to 29. He then intends to make the short hop down the Arabian Gulf to take up the position of top seed at the Qatar Open in Doha, beginning on December 31.

Toni Nadal, uncle and coach to the world no.4 is also breaking with family tradition for the first time and will accompany his nephew to Doha. Normally Toni delays his departure to stay home as long as possible with his family in Manacor and hands the initial coaching responsibilities over to regular deputy Francisco Roig.

Qatar Open tournament director Karim Alami told The Peninsula newspaper: “Nadal is returning to competitive tennis since his knee injury at Wimbledon so everyone is looking forward to seeing what he brings.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Australian Open 2013, Australian tennis news, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis Australia

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NoleDjokerFan says:

November 28, 2012 at 8:36 am

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GameSetNash says:

November 28, 2012 at 10:45 am

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