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Australian Open
SportTennis

Rafael Nadal hints at possible Australian Open campaign after cheeky Twitter post from Rod Laver Arena

  • Spaniard tweets ‘Don’t tell anyone … here I am’, suggesting he has arrived in Australia early to prepare for the season’s first grand slam
  • Cloud still hangs over the presence of Novak Djokovic, who has yet to reveal his vaccination status, while Roger Federer has pulled out with injury

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Rafael Nadal has arrived in Australia in what is possibly a build-up campaign for 2022’s first grand slam. Photo: DPA
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Rafael Nadal looks likely to be part of the 2022 Australian Open after arriving in Australia but Novak Djokovic’s presence in Melbourne is still a mystery.

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Nadal’s participation in the 2022 Australian Open had been under a cloud after the former world number one tested positive for Covid-19 in Abu Dhabi soon after playing an exhibition tournament.

Injury and coronavirus-related concerns have ripped through January’s Australian Open, with a handful of the sport’s big names, including Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, either pulling out or unsure of taking part. Federer ruled himself out through injury while Djokovic’s chances of competing remain unknown after refusing to reveal his Covid-19 vaccination status.

Seven-time Australian Open champion Serena Williams will not contest the women’s draw after bowing out on advice from her medical team. Nadal’s participation seems all but likely.

All eyes will be on Australian hopeful Ash Barty and defending champion Naomi Osaka, who arrived in Melbourne earlier this week. China’s Zheng Saisai makes the Australian Open list alongside Wang Xinyu and Zhang Shuai.

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