Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal celebrates a brilliant Grand Slam comeback and beats Marcos Giron smoothly

Nadal had after his French Open semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic 2021 only served in Washington (August), but then ended the season after his defeat in the round of 16 against Lloyd Harris due to his foot injury, which required surgery.

Then, after returning from the show tournament in Abu Dhabi in mid-December, the king of clay courts was diagnosed with a corona infection, which gave Nadal “a few very uncomfortable moments”.

At the beginning of 2022, however, the 20-time Grand Slam winner reported with the title at the 250 tournament in Melbourne (Final victory against Maxime Cressy) back.

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“It was hard not being able to be there for so long,” said Nadal, who has won the Australian Open once so far in 2009: “The injury was really lengthy. There were also moments of doubt, but I couldn’t be happier here now to stand and be able to play again. It’s getting better little by little.”

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Rafael Nadal on the way to old class

The 35-year-old Spaniard, who has attracted even more attention after his big competitor Novak Djokovic was expelled, could achieve his 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne – that would be a record ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer (all 20 each).

In the 2nd round Nadal now meets the German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, who beat Australian wild card holder and Adelaide winner Thanasi Kokkinakis. In any case, Nadal seems ready and in full possession of his strength. “You never know exactly where you are when you come back from injury. It helps to win matches,” he said.

In preparation for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year, the 13-time French Open champion then confidently won an ATP tournament at Melbourne Park. And was able to convince in his first match at the Australian Open.

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