Rafael Nadal likely to play in Australian Open after arriving in Melbourne

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Rafael Nadal might play in the 2022 Australian Open.

Weeks after contracting the COVID-19 virus, Nadal’s chances of joining the first Grand Slam tournament of 2022 became slim.

However, Nadal recently took social media by storm after posting a photo of him standing on the Rod Laver Arena court with the caption: “Don’t tell anyone… Here I am.”

Now with Nadal arriving in Australia ahead of the Grand Slam tourney’s schedule, the leftie superstar is expected to grace the ATP 250 event in Melbourne as part of his preparations for the main event.

Nadal’s participation will draw more lawn tennis fans to Melbourne after co-superstars Roger Federer, Dominic Thiem, and Stan Wawrinka already confirmed their absence due to respective injuries.

World no.1 ranked male tennis player, Novak Djokovic, is still unsure whether he will fly to Australia and join the Grand Slam due to COVID-19 health and safety protocol issues.

Nadal is currently seeking to break the tie among him, Djokovic, and Federer, who each have 20 Grand Slam championships under their belt.

If Nadal wins the 2022 Australian Open, that will put him as the men’s lawn tennis’ winningest player with 21 Grand Slams won.