Nadal Preparing Now For Assault On Australian Open

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 26th November 2013

FARWELL EXHIBITION GAME OF NALBADIAN VS. NADAL IN ARGENTINA

Nadal Preparing Now For Assault On Australian Open

epa03960530 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns a ball to Argentinian David Nalbandian (not pictured) during an exhibition game as part of the beggining of Nalbandian's farewell from tennis at the Orfeo stadium in Cordoba, Argentina, 21 November 2013. EPA/Nicolas Aguilera |

Rafael Nadal habitually adopts the humble approach when asked what are his aims for the upcoming tennis year; merely stating he will be content with continued fitness and the ability to play top matches.

But his uncle and coach Toni can usually be relied to come up with something more challenging.

And the senior Nadal has not let anyone down maintaining his nephews big test will come at the opening major of next year. The challenge in 2014 will be Australia,” said Uncle Toni. “If Raphael was to win it would achieve something only [Rod] Laver did. Twice winning the Big Four.”

Laver, of course twice achieved the feat in the same year and is the only male, alive or dead, to have done it, but Uncle Toni, at home in Majorca while Rafa is on his exhibition tour of South America with Novak Djokovic, is plotting for next year.

The world no.1 will begin his 2014 build up at Abu Dhabi’s exhibition Mubadala Tennis World Championships and then move onto Doha for the Qatar ExxonMobil Open where previously he has experienced problems by falling sick.

Then comes the Australian Open challenge in Melbourne, beginning January 13. And Uncle Toni will concentrate much of his work on convincing Rafa that he is good enough to emulate Laver.

“Ever since Raphael was young, when he was a boy, I have worked his mind, so he can be mentally strong,” said Toni. “When you have a strong mind you will have a strong body, and you can play strong shots. When you don’t have a strong mind, it’s very difficult.”

“When you have a bad situation, you need a good mind. But this is all normal in life. This is the way that life is, for you, for me, for the players, for everyone.

“It’s easier when you know that you have ups and downs in this life, and that sometimes things won’t go so well. If you think that things are always going to go well, and you never expect there to be any problems, then you’re going to find life difficult.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Australian Open, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Toni Nadal