Rafael Nadal news: Aus Open champion shows no signs of slowing down ahead of Mexican Open

ATP Tour

Lucy Roberts
February 21, 2022

Rafael Nadal’s win in the final of the 2022 Australian Open to become a 21 time Grand Slam winner wasn’t even a month ago, but the Spaniard is ready to go again in the Mexican Open which starts today.

Nadal is now 35 years old and he managed to make it all the way in Melbourne to become the first man to have 21 Grand Slam titles to his name, and although he’s admitted his recovery wasn’t a walk in the park, he’s eager to return to the court in Acapulco.

He faces world No 100 Denis Kudla in his opening round of the tournament tomorrow, not only to chase yet more ATP titles, but just for his love of the game.

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“I am here because I feel that I can, I feel that I want to keep going and that’s why I’m here, I’m excited and I know the draw here is a big challenge but I am excited to just keep playing tennis,” the 13 time French Open champion explained.

“Of course after Australia there have been some super happy moments and emotional moments to be back home and share it with the people that I love, but then of course the body goes down a little bit – but honestly it’s not that bad, I was able to start practising early again.

“Grand Slams can be brutal, playing matches even if it’s every two days, even here the conditions are quite aggressive in terms of humidity and warmth, but I always like to play here and I’ve had some positive feelings here in the past so I’m excited to be back playing here and I hope to be ready.”

Nadal isn’t going to be the only big name at the competition in Mexico, which means he could face the top seed and his opponent in the Australian Open final, Daniil Medvedev who could claim No 1 spot during this tournament, if they’re both successful in reaching the semi-final stage.

Both players could then take on the likes of Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev or Cameron Norrie if any of them are victorious in their previous rounds to progress to the final, which will be played on February 26.

The Mexican Open gets underway on February 21 and finishes on February 26.

Rafael Nadal