Rafael Nadal Ready To Give Miracles To Tennis Fans 'Suffering' Due To Pandemic

JAKARTA - Spain's top tennis player, Rafael Nadal has declared himself in good shape and ready to perform a number of miracles to entertain tennis fans who are 'suffering' in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Nadal, who could cross Roger Federer's record 20 Grand Slam titles, will kick off this year's season representing his country's team in the ATP Cup starting Tuesday.

He will feature on the Melbourne Park pitch after completing a 14-day quarantine in Adelaide, during which he is allowed to train for up to five hours a day before Friday's exhibition match against US Open champion Dominic Thiem.

"For me personally, the preparation is positive," said Nadal as quoted by AFP via Antara, Sunday, January 31.

"I can train about two hours per day in Adelaide. A few days longer, two hours 15 minutes, two hours 20 minutes. That's all.

"I've done it, I think I have to be ready. Now is the time to start playing and training with other colleagues and let's see what happens."

Most of the players have come out of quarantine and the world number two wants to refocus on tennis, even though his mind is on those locked up around the world.

"When we get here, we go through this quarantine. But I guess it's over. This is the time to start talking about tennis, "he said.

"That's why we came here, to play tennis, to try to give to fans around the world and to fans here in Australia.

"For some people who are suffering a lot at home, we try to provide good entertainment for them. The only way to make that happen is to go out on the pitch, try our best."

Nadal led Spain in the ATP Cup, struggling to make amends after being beaten in the final in Sydney last year by Novak Djokovic's Serbian side.

Nadal, who usually doesn't play a week before the Grand Slam, said it was a different experience this year, with the tournament cut to 12 teams from the previous 24 and all matches in Melbourne before the Australian Open.

"It's a very unusual situation for most of us. Most of you who watch tennis know I never played a week before a Grand Slam," he said.

"So it's a little bit new and it's a different situation. But here I am, like the rest of the team, to try my best every time.

"Because we are a team, and a good team, with great players, we have different options. Everyone is ready to play, and play at a very competitive level."

Spain begin their campaign against hosts Australia, who are without Nick Kyrgios but led by Alex De Minaur who is in top form after winning the season-opening Antalya Open this month.

The two teams met in last year's ATP Cup with De Minaur forcing Nadal into three exciting sets.

"It was an emotional match, not great for me, but emotional," Nadal said of the match.

"He's young, he's improving every year. I think it's going to be a tough fight for us all to play against a great team like Australia."