Rafael Nadal targeting Australian Open success following surgery

Sport360 staff 10:40 03/12/2014
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  • Important month: Rafael Nadal returned to training this week in a hope to be fit for the Australian Open.

    Rafael Nadal is optimistic about his chances of being ready for next month’s Australian Open after returning to training this week following surgery.

    The 28-year-old Spaniard admits, however, that he will start the 2015 season “from almost zero”, while he expects his main rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer to continue their recent fine form.

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    Nadal missed the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London last month to undergo surgery to remove his appendix.

    The 14-time grand slam champion, who has also battled knee, wrist and back problems, is now on the comeback trail though and, after returning to training on Monday, is already casting his eye towards a return to competitive action.

    Nadal is looking at the events in Abu Dhabi and Doha at the start of 2015 as a chance to step up his recovery ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 19.

    In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Nadal said: “It’s always a bit tough starting off after a few difficult months, without any continuity, and after the last month and half without being able to play any sport and the appendicitis.

    “What I have to do this month is to get myself fit physically, progress my tennis as much as possible and lay the foundations to start well in Abu Dhabi and in Doha.

    "Take advantage of those tournaments to recover the competitiveness that I’ve not had due to the injuries.”

    Nadal’s only Australian Open triumph so far came back in 2009, but he was runner-up to Djokovic in 2012 and earlier this year in losing to Stan Wawrinka.

    When asked about the possibility of him being fully fit for Melbourne Park in six weeks’ time, he said: “If you train well and you feel right physically, the process is quicker. 

    “In a few days you pick up the speed of the ball again, the movement in the legs and, if I do good work at home and I play well at
    the start of the year, that could be enough to arrive in Australia well prepared.”

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