A behind-the-scenes photo reveals the Spanish tennis legend Rafael NadalChance to win historic 21 Grand Slam titles tonight Australia Open The final could be in jeopardy.
Nadal will face Russia’s world number 2 Daniil Medvedev in a blockbuster singles match MelbourneRod Laver Arena Sunday at 7.30 p.m. (AEST).
But the Spaniard has been seen undergoing a finger operation on his left hand just hours before the start of the game.
A picture has surfaced which shows the world number 5 posing as a member of his team holding his hand and wrapping his index finger with a bandage.
A behind-the-scenes photo has surfaced of Rafael Nadal undergoing a finger strapping operation (pictured) hours before he hit Rod Laver Arena.
However, former Australian tennis coach Jelena Dokic said the process could not spell disaster for Nadal.
‘It’s (regular). He always gets his hand and his fingers taped to prevent blisters,’ she said on Channel 9.
‘We’ve seen it before. He gets blisters and I think he sweats a lot and gets very physical in his matches. So it affects him.’
Barely a month after fears of not being healthy enough to compete at Melbourne Park, Nadal is one victory away from securing an unprecedented 21st men’s Grand Slam singles crown.
Taking on Medvedev on Sunday, Nadal is bidding for a record number of majors in what most thought would eye Djokovic before a dramatic relegation from Australia on the eve of the season’s first slam.
After two desperate court battles and a fortnight-long saga that attracted worldwide attention, Djokovic’s departure opened the door for Nadal to not have the required visa to enter the country.
Djokovic lost last year’s French Open final due to a leg injury after playing just two matches between June and January, a position even the Spaniard had not dreamed of being in.
“We can make history but the real truth is that two months ago we didn’t know if we would be able to get back on tour,” Nadal said on Wednesday after his historic five-set win over Denis Shapovalov. ,
Nadal (pictured) bids a record 21 Grand Slam victories over Russian world No. 2 Daniil Medvedev on Sunday night
It was no surprise, though not surprising, then, that while he was preparing for Medvedev, who was initially gearing up for a potential semi-final with Djokovic, that Nadal was a clear forward with the Serb and fellow tennis titan Roger Federer. Not obsessive about growing up at the 21st Grand Slam.
Publicly at least, the 35-year-old former world No 1 said he is still playing for the pleasure of competing in such an extraordinary golden age.
Nadal insisted it was an honor to be among the world’s most dominant trio in the sport.
He said, ‘I am happy to be a part of this wonderful era of tennis, sharing all these things with the other two players.’
‘and that is all. In some ways it doesn’t matter whether someone achieves a high or a low (Grand Slam), no?
‘Everyone, we did amazing things and things that would be very hard to match.’
More important for Nadal, he said, is to win the second Australian Open crown, after losing four finals since his only win in 2009.
That in itself would elevate Nadal to the history books alongside Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson as the only man to have won all four Grand Slams at least twice.
‘Of course, if some people have done this during the entire history of the game, because it’s so hard to make,’ Nadal said, after Nadal called a bout of COVID-19 closer to Christmas to make it happen. crossed. Melbourne.
‘Yes, I am glad that I am going to get a chance. But for me, in the end, it is much more than all these statistics.
Medvedev (pictured) consistently striving to become the first man to capture his second career major at the Slam
‘It’s about to reach the final of the Australian Open once again. that means a lot to me.’
History is also at stake for Medvedev.
After denying Djokovic a fictional calendar-year Grand Slam with a win over world number one in the US Open final last year, Medvedev is striving to become the first man to achieve his second career major at a consecutive Slam.
Nadal, usually, has full respect for the Russian, knowing the 25-year-old is a very different proposition for the opponent he defeated in five grueling sets in the 2019 final at Flushing Meadows.
“If I don’t play at my top level, I won’t have a chance,” Nadal said.
‘One thing won’t change, I need to play at my highest level.’
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