‘Second Service’ tennis news: Rafael Nadal says poor form following injury is ‘just what happens’, Novak Djokovic to end Australian Open exile as visa ban is revoked
Looking back on the big tennis news in our exclusive ‘Second Service’… Rafael Nadal said poor form was to be expected after his long injury break as Novak Djokovic will make a return to the Australian Open next year, and more.
To start this tennis news roundup, Rafael Nadal says he needs to allow himself time to work his way back from injury after he lost his ATP Finals opener to Taylor Fritz.
Nadal started 2022 in imperious form, winning the first two Grand Slams of the season to take his career total to a record-extending 22.
He has struggled with injury since, though, as he battled both his chronic foot problem and two abdominal tears.
In most of the points of the match, I was in a defensive position, and he was in an offensive position,” said Nadal.
“That’s what happened… But every single time I came back from injury, [it’s not normal] playing against top players [from] the first day. That’s what happens when you are coming back playing Masters 1000s and [the Nitto ATP Finals].”
In other tennis news, Novak Djokovic will return to the Australian Open after his visa ban was lifted by the government this week.
Djokovic is the tournament’s most successful ever singles player having won nine titles in Melbourne, but he was facing a lengthy exile from the country as a result of his deportation this year.
However, according to multiple reports in Australia, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has overturned that visa ban, freeing Djokovic to compete in January.
“What we’re saying at this point is that Novak and the federal government need to work out the situation. And then we’ll follow any instruction after that,” Tiley told The Age at the Australian Open launch last month.
Furthermore, Daniil Medvedev says the court in Turin is the fastest the ATP have produced all year.
“[It is] super tough to go from Vienna, which is fast hard court, and I generally like fast hard courts more than slow hard courts, to [Paris] where it was probably the slowest indoor hard court,” Medvedev said.
‘’Here is the fastest of the year. To get used to it you need matches. That was a match today, so that is why I’m saying I hope the next one is going to be better.
? Free >> Join our legendary newsletter
? Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
? Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
? Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
? Watch >> How to enjoy ATP/WTA/Slam tennis on TV
? Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner