Rafael Nadal gives fitness update after injury scare, saying: ‘I’m not in terrible shape’

Rafael Nadal admits he is “not yet ready to play a match at the highest intensity” and is receiving daily treatment on his stiff back.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner suffered an injury scare ahead of the 2021 Australian Open as he withdrew from Spain’s ATP Cup tie against Australia on Tuesday due to a back problem.
Spain were due to feature again on Thursday as they were set to take on Greece, but all matches at Melbourne Park were suspended due to a positive coronavirus contact case.
Draw delayed after coronavirus case, but TA chief ‘absolutely confident Australian Open will go ahead’
Nadal, though, admits he is not yet 100 per cent ready to compete.
“I’m not in a terrible shape, but I’m not well enough to play,” the Spaniard told Vamos de Movistar. “At the end of one of the practice sessions I felt it was getting stiff. I’m having daily treatment and trust things will improve in the next few days.
“I think I’m a bit better now, but I’m not yet ready to play a match at the highest intensity ’cause I’m not at my 100% and we need to see how things evolve day by day.”
He added: “The first objective right now is to try to recover as well as possible. I think I have had a good pre-season and I started this season with maximum enthusiasm, I trained well in Mallorca and Adelaide.”
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