MELBOURNE (AUSTRALIA) – Rafa Nadal set aside apprehensions about the Australian Open quarantine on Sunday, as he said it was time to get down to the business, which was to play tennis and entertain fans around the world.
The 34-year-old, who clinched his 20th Grand Slam title at last year’s delayed French Open, has completed his two weeks of isolation in Adelaide on Friday before prepping up for an exhibition match and then heading to Melbourne.
The world number two told reporters on Sunday, “When we arrived here, we have this quarantine. But I think that’s over. It’s the moment to start talking about tennis.”
“That’s why we came here. To play tennis, to try to give to the fans around the world and to the fans here in Australia a good show. For some of the people who are suffering a lot at home, we try to have a good entertainment for them.”
Nadal will head towards Spain’s challenge for the ATP Cup, which is announcing a much-delayed start in Melbourne on Tuesday.
“Of course, it’s different circumstances than last year. It’s a very unusual situation for most of us,” he added.
“Most of you that are around tennis knows I never play the week before a Grand Slam, so it is a little bit new and it is strange situation.
“But here I am, the same as the rest of the team, to try our best in every moment. Everybody’s ready to play, and to play with very competitive level.”
Nadal starts with his season against Australia’s Alex de Minaur in an ATP Cup Group B singles match on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.