King of Clay Rafael Nadal close to reach full fitness – Tennis News
Former world number one, Rafael Nadal, is getting better after resuming training on courts. He is currently recovering from his knee injury which he suffered after the Wimbledon Championships, third of the four Grand Slam events taking place in London, England.
The Spanish number one, Nadal, suffered a shocking second round defeat at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club against Czech Republic’s Lukas Rosol. This loss was his last match on the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour this season.
He was forced to withdraw from the London Olympics and the US Open with partial tear in his patella tendon.
After sidelined from professional tennis since June 28th, the left-handed Spaniard resumed his training and got back on courts earlier this month.
The high flying Spaniard stated in a social networking site:
"My first tennis practice after all these weeks. Getting better and hope to continue with the positive trend."
The 11-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal is currently training on indoor hard courts. He is training at his home town of Manacor in Mallorca with his uncle and coach, Toni Nadal.
Currently ranked fourth in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Nadal stated in a press conference after his first training session with Toni and a physiotherapist:
“I think I am feeling better, the knee is improving the right way and I am happy to be on court. I am just enjoying the feeling to be playing tennis. I start very slow and I go day by day. I will work hard in my comeback and hopefully the knee will be ready
soon. Always you have to be careful. A few months outside of competition the body has to re-adapt everything and all the muscles need to start very slow."
The 26-year-old started the season in high notes. He cruised to the final showdown at the Melbourne Grand Slam and reached final four in several tournaments at the start of the season.
In the clay season, Nadal went berserk and without losing a single set, he captured his maiden year-to-date title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. The Spaniard maintained his intensity at the Barcelona Open the following week and claimed the crown without
losing a set.
He lost in the second round on blue courts in Madrid but went on a 13-match killing spree after that. He captured the Internazionali BNL D’Italia and the French Open, second Grand Slam of the season, during that spell.
The Spanish top ranked star is eyeing a return at the Australian Open next season.
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