Social distancing works against COVID-19. Rafa Nadal can attest to this. The Balearic, who won his premiere at the Monte Carlo Masters 1,000 to Fede Delbonis 6-1 and 6-2, he trained on Monday with Daniil Medvedev, who that same day tested positive. Alarms went off, but the 11-time champion was clean. “I didn't worry because I was never close to him, we just practiced. I was always more than four meters away and I just thanked him for a second at the end, “he explained.
The ATP, which has carried out its tournaments in bubble mode, allowed a controversial respite in Monte Carlo. That the players residing there could be at home, in the case of Medvedev. The rest, and as a novelty, are allowed to leave the hotel one hour a day but only to walk.
At a press conference, and before the doubts of some players, Nadal explained his stance towards vaccines. “I am going to get vaccinated when I have the chance”, he clarified. “The general interest is what has to move us, and it is logical. It is the only way out of this nightmare. Perhaps there are a small number of people who suffer side effects, but in general the effects of the virus are much worse, “he added.
On his return 56 days later, Nadal explained that he was very active in Manacor so as not to lose his form. “I had to slow down for a few weeks from behind, but I kept going to the gym. It takes a lot, at this point in my career, to stop and get my body back in shape. I cannot abandon daily routines, “he warned.