Rafa Nadal left Adelaide on Friday, where he spent the 14 days of mandatory quarantine imposed by the Australian Government, and traveled to Melbourne to start preparing for the ATP Cup (February 2-6) and the Australian Open (8-21). The balearic offered very good sensations in A Day at the Drive, the exhibition in which he successfully beat Domimic Thiem (7-5 and 6-4) and This Saturday he trained for the first time at the facilities where he will compete from now on.
Nadal rallied with his friend and chosen training partner Marc López, after having shared a track during confinement in the south of the country with the Italian Jannik Sinner. Spanish tennis players, who were Olympic gold in Rio 2016, practiced around 7:00 p.m. (Australian time) on Melbourne Park's center court, Rod Laver Stadium, where will he play their matches of the ATP Cup the Spanish team. Marc López will participate in the doubles draw of the Oceanic Grand Slam with Pablo Carreño as a couple. Tomorrow, the winner of 20 Grand Slam will train with Italian Matteo Berrettini.
After enjoying the Adelaide exhibition a lot, Nadal posted a thank you message on his Instagram account, in which he again praises Australia's management of the COVID-19 crisis. “I wanted to thank once again the people of Adelaide and South Australia for receiving us these last 14 days of quarantine,” wrote the Mallorcan.
“Also to @tennisaustralia for organizing the exhibition we played yesterday and the people who came to see it. It was great watching tennis with crowds, having fun and enjoying their time. That is also a result of how well things have been done in this country. Thank you very much and I hope to see you next year “. Rafa also greeted the citizens of his new destination.” And now, Hi Melbourne and thank you Victorians for having us. Looking forward to these next few weeks. “ Nadal stays with his team and his family in the hotel he always chooses for the best Aussie, the Crown, since after the quarantine the players are free to choose their accommodation.