Rafael Nadal is ready to beat the odds and finish what he left unfinished. After a 12-month break from the game, Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, is working hard to get back to his best and is putting in as much practice as possible ahead of the Brisbane event. Nadal had a private practice session with World no 8 Holger Rune, ahead of the Brisbane tournament. Rune, after the session with Nadal, has said it was the ‘hardest practice’ he has had in the last six months.
Also Read: Alexander Zverev vows to ‘defend Olympic Gold’ as he gears up for Grand Slams
Nadal is eyeing a comeback in the Brisbane International after being in the sidelines for over a year with an injury. His preparation is going pretty well, if world no. 8 Rune is to be believed. The 22 time Grand Slam champion is putting in hard work in the courts ahead of the start of the tournament.
At the Brisbane press conference ahead of the tournament, Rune said he was blown away by Nadal’s level of preparation.
“It’s funny, like after the practice I talked to my team. I thought he played unbelievable. We were hitting. He was hitting strong. He always used to hit strong. Then we started points & I thought he was moving very well, moving side to side extremely fast.
“I think the intensity he brings is incredible. I’ve been playing a very intense pre-season & a very intense end of the season last year. And that was probably the hardest practice I’ve had the last half year, I would say,” Rune said.
Editors pick
