Defending Australian Open champ Rafael Nadal is adamant he’s in “good shape” forward of subsequent week’s grand slam regardless of a lacklustre begin to 2023 and worries over his ageing physique.
The 36-year-old, who snared his second Australian Open triumph final yr 13 years after his first, misplaced each his United Cup matches in Sydney, together with one to native Alex de Minaur.
Having battled accidents throughout 2022, together with an stomach damage that ruined the again half of his season, questions have been requested about Nadal’s health for his title defence.
But having already declared he wasn’t injured in Sydney, the 22-time grand slam winner is assured he shall be again to his finest at Melbourne Park.
“It’s true that the last couple of tournaments I wasn’t able to play my standards and here at the beginning of the season I lost two matches in Sydney, but honestly, I am not unhappy with the preparation,” Nadal mentioned in Melbourne on Tuesday.
“I think I’m in good shape. You need to demonstrate that in matches … but I’m confident that if I am able to have this last week of positive practice, why not?”
Nadal conceded his victory final January, a comeback five-set win over Daniil Medvedev, was surprising however nonetheless “one of the most important” of his profession.
It additionally got here earlier than Nadal toppled 4 consecutive top-10 rivals en path to his 14th French Open crown, a sign of his capability to take down the world’s finest.
“Probably this one is one of the more unexpected ones. Very emotional,” he mentioned.
“The final comeback is one of the most important in my career.”
Nadal has been practising every day in Melbourne since Spain was bundled out of the United Cup in Sydney and is scheduled to tackle Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in match simulation on Friday night time on Rod Laver Arena.
Now additionally a father, Nadal was assured his further duties wouldn’t impression his on-court productiveness.
“It‘s about adapting to this new part of my life in all ways,” he mentioned.
“You need a little bit more of organisation than before without a doubt.
“But it’s the first time that happens in my life.
“So I need some time to adjust all the things that are going to help me to stay the same as before, but I think I have all the things around me that help me to keep going without problems.”
