What Rafael Nadal Likes About Australia: The Heat Which Adds Speed, Bounce To His Shots
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After winning his first title in Doha Saturday, Rafael Nadal turned his focus to the upcoming Australian Open revealing what he likes about playing the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne.
“I personally like if it’s hot,” Nadal said following a three set win over Gael Monfils. “Well, if it’s crazy hot, you know, for everybody is tough. Normally when the conditions are warm, the bounces on the ball are higher. The speed of the ball is a little bit, you know, quicker, and the ball flies more on the air. So that’s positive things for my game normally.”
Nadal’s title in Doha meant he won’t arrive into Australia until today, but he’s certain that will still give him more than enough time to get used to the conditions.
“I going to arrive there on Monday evening,” Nadal said. “I going to practice Tuesday at 4:00. I going to have almost a week to practice well there, and I think hopefully will be enough to acclimate my game to Australia.
“If your game is not adapted in six days is because you will never be adapted. That’s my feeling.”
Nadal, who’ll be the top seed at the tournament, won the Australian Open in 2009. He missed last year because of his injured knee so he’ll keep his top ranking regardless of outcome.
“The people are so focused on defending points and these kind of things, and for me really the pressure of defending points is zero, because the only pressure for me is try to keep playing well. I try to keep having chances to win,” Nadal said.
“When I start the season I see a season like everybody start from zero, and for me the ranking is just the race. From January to end of November, when they finish the season, I take that like ‑‑ well, we start here and we will see how many points I can make it in Australia. But the pressure is to play well there and to try to have chances.”
If Nadal wins the Australian Open, he’ll have multiple titles at all four Grand Slams (two career Grand Slams).
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