Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, says ‘not ready to compete’
Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.
Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.
With U.S Open winner Carlos Alcaraz of Spain withdrawing due to an injury, his compatriot Rafael Nadal has been given the top billing in the men's singles draw in the Australian Open, starting in a few days.
Nadal also expressed how hopeful he is about the upcoming Australian open as he claimed that he is confident enough and his past few practice sessions are going well.
The Spanish megastar lost his first match of this season against Cameron Norrie and now lost his second match against Australia's Alex de Minaur in three games as the hosts took a lead of 1-0 in their Group D encounter.
Djokovic fans chanted “Novak Novak” when he walked onto the court. Previously, Novak, after a controversy relating to his vaccination status and his anti-vax statements, was held over by the Australian Border Force.
Nadal was training outside and not carrying his accreditation and it needed a colleague of the security official to intervene and familiarise his colleague with the great Spaniard.
Though Rafael Nadal won 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) to book his 12th quarterfinal spot at the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios did not go down without a fight.
Rafael Nadal defeated Pablo Carreno Busta at the ongoing Australian Open on Saturday, while Dominic Thiem also extended his journey in Melbourne.
Rafael Nadal, who holds the record of becoming world number one in three different decades, is trying to match Roger Federer's record of 20 Majors.
The 16-time Major winner, who is gunning for an eighth Australian Open title, knows that the dominance of himself, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have 55 Slam crowns between them, has to ultimately end.