Rafael Nadal, 6th in the world, appeared in great shape in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday in Melbourne, to beat without trembling the American Marcos Giron (66th) 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
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“I’m playing better and better,” said the 35-year-old Spaniard, who suffered a foot injury last year and is recovering from the Covid contracted in December.
“It’s hard to say where I am compared to my best level. You have to go there day after day, accept that not everything is always going well and stay positive to play with the right energy and work, ”he said.
On Monday, if the match lasted 1h49 (including 49 minutes for the second set alone), it is because the Spaniard committed a few unforced errors (26), especially in the second set (17), which allowed his opponent to stay on the court a little longer. But not really in the game.
Powerful, efficient, mobile, Nadal seems to have recovered well from the foot injury which forced him to end his 2021 season in early August, as well as from the Covid which put him flat in December.
Winner for his resumption of the ATP 250 tournament in Melbourne on January 9, the Spaniard seems well able to aim for a record 21st Grand Slam title. If his physique holds.