Rafael Nadal Is Fit To Play

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 5th February 2014

Rafael Nadal Is Fit To Play

epa04042357 Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his men's final match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2014. EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA EPA/NARENDRA SHRESTHA |

It’s now up to Rafael Nadal whether to fly off to South America to resume ATP play after being handed a positive progress report on the state of his back injury suffered during the Australian Open. The No. 1 seems upbeat about his chances of resuming play next week in Buenos Aires: “I’m fine, I’ve continued treatment since I returned from Melbourne. I’ve not yet hit the court or done any exercise, but I hope to start on Thursday,” he told Spain’s COPE radio, adding that he will make a late decision on whether to play Buenos Aires, followed by Rio de Janeiro.

Nadal, who received a Spanish sporting award in Barcelona, was given a scan by his medical team which reported all checks “were satisfactory and showed positive evolution.”

Nadal confessed that it was tough for him to recover from his Melbourne loss to Stanislas Wawrinka. “I knew I could not win, but I had no thought of retiring,” he said of the “worst hour and a half that I have spent on a tennis court which put paid to any chances of becoming the first man in the post-1968 Open era to win each of the four majors twice.

But Nadal was looking to the positive. “It wouldn’t be right to say I was not satisfied all the things this life has given me. I take losses very well; I don’t think about them after a few hours. But this time it’s taking me a little more.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Australian Open, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Stanislas Wawrinka, Tennis, Tennis News