Open Australia | Nadal exhibits himself before Thiem on his return to the slopes

Rafa Nadal does not know how to play without intensity. Since he was a child he hits the ball as if there were no tomorrow, it does not matter if it is a training, an official match or an exhibition like the one he played this Friday in Adelaide. The Balearic, who has been able to train a couple of hours a day during the 14 days of quarantine mandatory that concluded for him on Thursday, he wore a striking power more than remarkable to beat an opponent who chokes, especially on the fast track, Dominic Thiem (7-5 ​​and 6-4).

The return of the only Spaniard who has been able to succeed at the Australian Open on the slopes was encouraging. Without denying himself the odd smile, Nadal took it very seriously, as we say he is used to, and impacted on the resistance of the Austrian, champion of the US Open in 2020. On the center court of Memorial Drive, full of public (about 4,000 people ), without social distance or masks in a city that is experiencing an absolute and enviable return to normality after achieving a rate of COVID infections close to 0, they enjoyed after the semi-scared of Djokovic, who first was erased and then he played the second set against Sinner and won it; and Serena Williams' victory over Osaka in three sets. You haven't seen that many people on a tennis court or that close together since the last tournaments in February and early March last year.

Few jokes

The number two in the world often doubled Thiem's ​​hand, who struck several rods due to the harshness of the Spanish's shipments. The two played relaxed, but were competitive enough, although Nadal put one more point of determination in the victory. He gave it a break in each set, after in the first he will lift the two options that Thiem had. Laughing, the manacorí retaliated for the defeat in the ATP Finals, when he forgave Dom.

Although it was worthless, this time it did not. He served twice to win each set and delivered. Good feelings, good shape, good looking waiting for bigger companies. Both could meet in the ATP Cup from February 2. “Rafa does not share many successes, especially at Roland Garros, nothing there,” joked Thiem. In Melbourne, if they cross paths, it will be another story.