Rafael Nadal Highly Motivated For What Could Be Final Australia Trip

Rafael Nadal embarks on his first Australian swing as a father. The 36-year-old struggled down the stretch at the end of the 2022 season — he lost four of his last five matches — but comes into the new year refreshed and motivated.

“Always the beginning of the season is exciting,” Nadal said earlier in the week at the United Cup.

“Highest motivation to try to start well. It’s always important to start well for me, for the confidence. Last few months haven’t been easy for me. I just try to have the right practice here before the tournament starts. Then of course, try to help the team. Main thing for me now is recover the positive feelings on court, being competitive. I hope to. I am ready to make that happen, but let’s see.”

Nadal played his first Australian swing in 2004. The Spaniard can’t rule out if he’ll ever return.

“As a professional, you never know, hopefully not,” Nadal said. “When you are at the age of 36, you never know when it’s going to be the last one. It’s obvious, but I don’t like to talk about that because I am not in that mood now.

Nadal endured foot and ab injuries during the last season but dropped just one match in Grand Slam play — a loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open — and finished No. 2 in the world, the oldest ever to end a year that high.

Nadal opens play tonight at the United Cup against Cameron Norrie in Sydney.