Rafael Nadal appears to have put his recent injury woes behind him as he touched down in Australia and gave a positive health update. The Spaniard will spend the next month Down Under competing at the ATP Cup and Australian Open.
Nadal had an injury-plagued 2019 season but still finished the year as world No 1.
The 33-year-old also won two Grand Slam titles – in Paris and New York – to take his tally to 19, just one behind Roger Federer’s record.
The best players in the world are separated between the three host cities at the inaugural ATP Cup, which commences on Friday.
Nadal’s Spain will play their group matches in Perth and he is raring to go in a city he has never been before.
“Hopefully we arrive in good shape. We have five days to practice well before the competition,” Nadal said.
“We are looking forward to playing good here in the ATP Cup and then we are going to have one week in Melbourne before the (Open) to start to prepare.
“We are excited to be here and to compete well at this great event.”
Spain are one of the favourites to win the international tournament after their triumph at the Davis Cup.
However, Djokovic’s Serbia will be looking to bounce back from their semi-final exit in Madrid.
