TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

Written by: Staff on 11th December 2018

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

epa07004177 Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their semi-final match on the twelfth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 07 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE |

Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during their semi-final match on the twelfth day of the US Open Tennis Championships the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA, 07 September 2018. The US Open runs from 27 August through 09 September. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE

By Ricky Dimon

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!

It is unclear exactly when Nadal hit the practice courts for the first time this offseason, but he posted a photo for the first time on Monday. The second-ranked Spaniard took to Twitter and provided an image from training with the caption: “entrenamiento, practice!”

It appears that Nadal is good to go for the lucrative six-man Abu Dhabi exhibition later in December followed by a January schedule that includes the Brisbane International and the Australian Open. He has been sidelined since retiring from his U.S. Open semifinal showdown against Juan Martin Del Potro. He missed the entire fall swing, including Masters 1000 tournaments in Shanghai and Paris plus the Nitto ATP Finals due to various injuries–hip, abdominal, and ankle.

“Rafael took the decision to correct a problem he was having in training and the federation doctor recommended he do so,” Toni said earlier in the offseason. “When I spoke to him his intention was to start training again around 4th or 5th December, and he will have more than a month to arrive in good conditions for the Australian Open.”

With Nadal healthy, Novak Djokovic in close to dominant form, and Roger Federer reigning as the two-time defending champion, the Australian Open figures to be especially intriguing next month.

“I’ve been in touch with Rafa and he’s back to full fitness after cutting his season short after Paris and can’t wait to arrive in Australia,” tournament director Craig Tiley stated in a press release. “And there are so many contenders who have the game, fitness and ability to break through on the men’s side. Kei Nishikori has had an incredible year, as have Marin Cilic and Kevin Anderson. The young guns [Alexander] Zverev, Dominic Thiem, David Goffin, and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all on the cusp of a breakthrough at this level.”

Before those Melbourne festivities get underway, Nadal is set for the Abu Dhabi tournament along with Djokovic, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Karen Khachanov, and Hyeon Chung. It will run from Dec. 27-29.