“Nadal is still fighting injuries and not 100% fit”, says Toni Nadal – Tennis News
World number two, Rafael Nadal will commence his new season with Mubadala World Tennis Championship, an exhibition tournament contested in Abu Dhabi from December 29th, 2011. He may look fit and all set to resume
professional tennis after a break but his uncle-c*m coach, Toni Nadal, has made it clear that he is not 100% fit. According to Toni, Nadal is still struggling from niggling injuries after playing one of the most hectic seasons of his career.
Commenting on the state of Nadal’s condition and preparation for new season, Toni said, “There was something with his left shoulder. He picked it up right before going to London. In Seville, his shoulder was fine. But there
he had to play (numb under the influence of painkillers) on Friday and Sunday due to, I believe, tendinitis in his knees.”
Nadal was seen in action throughout the year in one tournament or the other. He had an added responsibility this year to ensure his country with another Davis Cup title earlier this month. All the players from top ranks were
enjoying their holidays but Nadal and his three compatriots were fighting for the fifth Davis Cup title against one of the toughest Argentine squad at their home soil in Seville.
With not much success in terms of titles, Nadal was left with just one Grand Slam championship victory, Roland Garros French Open, to defend in 2012. He lost six tournament finals on the trot to the reigning world number
one, Novak Djokovic, which includes two Grand Slam finals as well. With such a hectic season and not many title celebrations, player can feel a bit worn out.
Nadal played round-robin matches at the year-end finale, the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, in pain that was clearly visible during the matches when Spaniard had to take the time out to receive some treatment from his physio
at sidelines. Toni is not at all satisfied with the preparation and fitness level of his nephew and he thinks his nephew is not at all set to play in Abu Dhabi.
Despite all the dismal conditions Nadal has seen throughout the season, he is all fired up to reclaim his number one spot from the Serbian tennis ace, Djokovic. His coach was convinced that his nephew’s temperament is strong
enough to earn him several victories despite several injuries. Toni further mentioned, “Nevertheless, Rafael goes to Abu Dhabi with good feelings. He is looking forward to recovering his intensity. What he has done, he has done well. These doubts come at the
beginning of every year when he doesn’t know well where he stands.”
Everyone will be praying to see Nadal in action in 2012, so that the intensity of winning the number one spot in the world is boosted.
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