Aussie Open: Nadal hopeful of being in superb shape

World number one Rafael Nadal is fit and raring to go ahead of the Australian Open and ATP Cup, saying  he is hopeful of being in “good shape” for the tests that lies ahead.

The 33-year-old will become the only man to be world number one in three different decades when the season starts in Australia, after he finished 2019 in seriously hot form.

It’s a stark contrast from this time in 2018, when Nadal was recovering from ankle surgery. He still reached the Australian Open final, but was some way short of his best as he was comprehensively outclassed by Novak Djokovic.  This season, though, appears to be a different story.

“Hopefully we arrive in good shape,” Nadal told the Australian Press. “We have five days to practice well before the competition.

“We are looking forward to play good here in the ATP Cup and then we are going to have one week in Melbourne before the [Australian Open] to start to prepare.

“We are excited to be here and to compete well at this great event.”

Nadal also received a glowing report from one of his coaches, Francisco Roig, who added: “Rafa is spectacular

“He’s found some very good form. He’s feeling confident in the way he is playing and his serve is really helping him.

“I think Nadal looks great. Now it’s a question of maintaining his game.”

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Nadal who married his long time hearthrobe Mery Perello in a lavish wedding that had 350 high profile guests in October in Majorca is no doubt in the right frame to battle contenders who are equally in a hurry to take 2020 by storm.