“Highly Motivated” Rafael Nadal Ready For Novak Djokovic Challenge In Australia

File picture of Rafael Nadal. © AFP A “extremely inspired” Rafael Nadal invited competing Novak Djokovic’s much-anticipated go back to the Australian Open as “great for tennis” Wednesday, while brushing off tips this might be his last tilt at the season-opening Grand Slam. The 36-year-old Spanish terrific, who just recently ended up being a dad, is starting his brand-new season at the United Cup, a brand-new mixed-teams occasion beginning Thursday in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. It will supply a warm-up for his defence of the Australian Open title next month at Melbourne Park, where he swept previous Russian Daniil Medvedev to win this year in a legendary five-setter. That success followed arch-rival and nine-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic was apprehended and deported ahead of the competition after declining to get immunized for Covid-19. Australia has actually given that raised its requirement for visitors to reveal evidence of vaccination versus Covid. The Serb got here back in the nation on Tuesday for the very first time considering that being turfed out. Nadal, who has a record guys’s 22 Grand Slam titles to Djokovic’s 21, stated he enjoyed to see his super star competitor back. “Novak is here, helpful for tennis, helpful for most likely the fans,” the world second stated in Sydney. “Let’s see, no? Finest gamers on court constantly win.” Fifth-ranked Djokovic will start his mission for an unbelievable 10th title at Melbourne Park at the Adelaide International from Sunday. Nadal supported his Australian Open win this year with a 14th French Open however battled with injury after with
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