Nadal and Jannik Sinner to train together during the quarantine in Melbourne. AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Jannik Sinner’s coach and mentor Riccardo Piatti has always stated that the Italian needs to play and practice more and more with the very best. So, what’s better than Rafael Nadal?

During a recent interview with Italian outlet Supertennis, Riccardo released some comments about Jannik and his preparation for 2021. One of the most interesting aspects is that Sinner will play with Nadal for an entire week.

Training with Nadal in Melbourne

As per the guidelines, during the quarantine in Melbourne, it will be possible to train only with 1 tennis player for the first week without having the possibility to rotate. Rafael Nadal accepted Jannik as his training partner.

Piatti revealed that everything is set with Rafa’s coach Carlos Moya. In the second week, Stan Wawrinka and Diego Schwartzman will join Rafa and Jannik.

Riccardo commented:

“In the first week we agree with Carlos (Moya) and Rafa. In the second week, when each pair of players can join one another, we made an agreement with Wawrinka and Schwartzman.

I believe that for Sinner being able to see (and experience in his turn) the preparation of a Grand Slam made by someone who has won 20 majors, is a fundamental experience .”

Nadal and the Australian Open

While Rafa has just won his 20th slam at the French Open he will try to go one step further in Melbourne. However, the Australian Open is the major where Rafa has experienced more problems. The Spanish sensation has won Melbourne on 1 occasion.

Rafael Nadal in 2020

Ranked world no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 21^st of November when he was defeated by Daniil Medvedev 3-6 7-6⁴ 6-3 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).

During this season Nadal has achieved a composed 27-7 match record. Rafael has won 2 titles in 2020 in Acapulco and at the French Open.

Jannik Sinner in 2020

Now ranked no.37 (career-high), Jannik played his last match on the 14^th of November when he beat Vasek Pospisil 6-4 3-6 7-6³ in the final in Sofia to win his 1^st career title.

This season the Italian has 20-14 record. This year, Jannik lifted the trophy in Sofia.

Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner fought against each other just 1 time. Their actual record is 1-0 for Nadal. When they played, Rafael Nadal won 7-6⁴ 6-4 6-1 in the quarter in Paris (French Open) on the 6^th of October 2020.

In the following video you can watch the highlights.