Rafael Nadal it’s back. The Spanish tennis player, after an epic and long-suffering 2022, where he won two Grand Slams and was haunted by injuries again, finalized his landing in a new season. The Spaniard is already in Australia to participate in the United Cup, a new mixed team tournament that will be held from December 29 and that will serve as preparation for the first major championship of the year, the Australian Open.
Nadal will debut on the 31st against Englishman Cameron Norrie in the first duel between Spain and Great Britain and will be accompanied by other national rackets such as Paula Badosa, Pablo Carreno, Nuria Parrizas, David Vega and Jessica Bouzas. The group will be led by Marc López, coach of Nadal himself and if his next rival will be the host, Australia. Nadal, who initially had to face Nick Kyrgios, will be finally measured at Alex de Minaur due to a last-minute injury to the controversial tennis player.
The new tournament brings together 18 national teams from around the world: the six with the best ATP ranking, the six with the best WTA ranking and the six with the best overall ranking. The best players from each team will face each other and, later, the two tennis players with the best ranking. If necessary, the tie would be broken with a mixed doubles.
The leader of the Spanish expedition, before his debut, spoke to the media and talked about how he has lived without the competition. “The last few months have not been easy for me. I just try to do the correct training before the tournament starts. Of course, I will try to help the team. The main thing for me at this moment is to recover the good sensations on the track, to be competitive, “said the Spaniard at a press conference.
Australia brings very good memories to the Balearic Islands. A little over a year ago, Nadal posted one of his best season starts of his career, with multiple victories and an upset triumph at the Australian Open, after coming back from two sets behind the Russian. Daniil Medvedev in the end.
