Rafael Nadal Wins Abu Dhabi Exo, Signals Return To Health?

Rafael Nadal won the Abu Dhabi exo Saturday beating David Goffin 64, 76(5). The result was more or less meaningless, but what wasn’t was the fact Nadal was feeling healthy.

After battling a bad wrist for the last half of 2016, Nadal was very pleased with the three wins he earned at the event.

“I was very happy with my performance and it gives me some positive energy to take into the new year,” Nadal said.

“I played three matches against three top players, and to win against these kind of players is not possible if you’re not playing well. So these three victories were really positive news. It was also pleasing to see that when I’m able to hit my forehand with confidence, the matches are going the way I want them to.

“I have worked a lot to try to put myself in a position to be competitive again and to try to make the fans enjoy my tennis again, so I will do my best to make that happen.”

– See more at: http://www.brisbaneinternational.com.au/2017/01/watch-nadal-free#sthash.QquSHBJf.dpuf

Nadal cautioned his fans to take a wait and see approach.

“Let’s see after Indian Wells and after the Miami Open. I cannot realize that after two or three events,” he said. “Let’s wait a couple of months. I know I am working hard and motivated to keep going and have passion to keep going the same way, if results are positive or not positive.”

Nadal officially opens his 2017 in Brisbane this week. He will hold a practice on Monday evening which will be open to the public, free of charge. He will play his first match against the dangerous Alexandr Dolgopolov.

In the consolation, Andy Murray beat Milos Raonic in their Wimbledon rematch.

Happy to play in #Brisbane for the first time in my career! #BrisbaneTennis

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 1, 2017

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