This is quite a weird story.
The King of Clay was due to play the Mubadala World Tennis Championship to retire because of a misterious virus. Now Rafa has to retire also from the Australian Open because of nt enough practice.
The knee is ok…
Rafa said in a communicate “I am sorry and very sad to announce that I will not play in the Australian Open,”
My knee is coming along OK, but a stomach virus has left me unable to get ready in time to tackle the rigours of a Grand Slam.”
… the virus prevents him to practice
“Because of the virus, I have been unable to get any match practice and simply would not be doing myself or my friends in Australia justice if I went down there so unprepared. You need your body to be at its best for the Australian Open,” Nadal added.
The disappointment
“It was a difficult decision and I am extremely disappointed to be missing such a great event. I love coming to Melbourne and playing on Rod Laver Arena before the Australian crowds. It brings out the best in me. It hurts to have to wait another 12 months before I get another” Said Rafa
From the tournament
The tournament director, Craig Tiley said.
“It is completely understandable and we really feel disappointed for him. But without any match practice and without sufficient lead up time on the practice court, it makes it virtually impossible for him to get his body ready.
We just hope he gets better quickly and we see him back on the tour as soon as possible. Tennis fans across the world have been missing him. Our Australian Open staff will very much miss him and his team as he is not only a great player, but also a great guy with good people around him,”
Animo Rafa! Next Stop? Acapulco?
Her Rafa almost collapsing after last year final… you need to befit to play this kind of events…