The last week of the year traditionally had a competitive flavor for
Rafa Nadal
, faithful from the beginning of his career to the ATP 250 in Doha and since 2009 to the exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.
In 2017 he even cheered up with an adventure in Brisbane, preparatory for the Australian Open.
However, this year, the extreme security measures for the first 'major' of 2021 have also altered the routines of the 'number two' in the world, who completed a training session in his Academy shortly before the traditional lunch of the day of Christmas.
Rafa's preparation only points to one goal: February 8, the start date of the Australian Open.
So all his previous plan in Mallorca, as far as 'sparrings' on the level of
Felix Auger-Aliassime
or
Lorenzo Sonego
have been displaced
, is organized to reach Melbourne Park in optimal condition.
However, before the opener in Australia, Nadal will have to face restrictions imposed by
Craig Tiley
, tournament director, who has worked against the clock to comply with the strict measures imposed by the state of Victoria.
Finally, the authorities have forced the ATP and the WTA to charter flights on January 15 and 16 from Doha and Dubai, where the previous rounds of the Open will be played.
Like any participant, Nadal will have to quarantine for two weeks before competing.
Along with Sinner
In fact, Rafa has also decided his plan for those 15 days, when he will train alongside
Jannik Sinner
, 19, one of the players called to take over from the famous
Big Three
.
In fact, the Italian was already his adversary in the quarterfinals of the last Roland Garros, where he was defeated in 131 minutes (7-6 [4], 6-4, 6-1).
The transoceanic trip is also a must for the best of the circuit, who on Thursday confirmed their presence in the preliminary list of the Australian Open.
In addition to
Novak Djokovic
,
Dominic Thiem
,
Daniil Medvedev
,
Stefanos Tsitsipas
,
Alexander Zverev
,
Andrey Rublev
,
Diego Schwartzman
or
Matteo Berrettini
, the presence of
Roger Federer stands out
, who hastens his recovery after two surgeries on his left knee.
until January 2
Some of these stars, such as Djokovic or Thiem, have also decided their presence in the ATP Cup, the tournament of nations that debuted 11 months ago on the calendar.
The pandemic has also affected this event, which will go from 16 to 12 teams and three venues (Brisbane, Sydney and Perth) to the only one in Melbourne.
Serbia, which defeated Spain in the final, is defending the title, although the Navy's options could multiply again with the presence of Nadal.
At the moment, the champion of 20 'majors' has not confirmed his participation in an event that will be played between February 1 and 5.
Rafa can still wait until January 2, the deadline to know the final calls.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
Know more
sports
tennis
Rafael Nadal
20th anniversaryThe risky decisions that gave Spain its first Davis Cup
Tennis The Mutua Madrid Open will last two weeks, the only one in Europe in that category: "It will be one of the most important events on the calendar"
Copa del Rey 2020 - 2021From the torrential rain to Atlético: «After the catastrophe comes the 'Gordo'»
See links of interest
Check Christmas Lottery