So, what’s up with Rafael Nadal these days? A lot of folks are scratching their heads, trying to figure out where he stands in his game. Richard Gasquet, who’s had a chance to practice with him recently, has some insights to share.
Nadal spent the first half of December in Kuwait. He was practicing outdoors, getting used to conditions similar to what he’ll face in Australia. A bit of a change from the European winter he returned to after his Middle Eastern stint.
Indoor practice in Europe, though, isn’t quite the same as what he’ll encounter Down Under. Still, he’s been hitting balls with a few players, including Gasquet. The French veteran has had his fair share of matches against Nadal over the past decade or so.
Gasquet’s got a good sense of what Nadal’s peak performance looks like. And from what he’s seen, Nadal’s game is pretty solid. Good enough to be competitive and snag some wins, he reckons.
“Rafa told me that it took him a while to come back, but I felt that he was no longer in pain. He will be competitive and he will win matches, there is no doubt! He is doing long 3-hour sessions. That’s what you need to do, play as much as possible,” Gasquet shared.
Music to the ears of Nadal’s fans, right? And it seems to jive with other reports that have been floating around. Nadal managed to beat Fils in a practice match in Kuwait. Fils may not be top-tier yet, but he’s no pushover. Beating him takes some effort.
But the real test is just around the corner. Nadal’s set to make his comeback in Brisbane. Then, it’s the Australian Open. All eyes will be on him, no doubt. He probably won’t clinch the title, but he could stir things up a bit.
Takeaways
‣ Rafael Nadal has been practicing in conditions similar to what he’d expect in Australia, including outdoor sessions in Kuwait and indoor sessions in Europe.
‣ Richard Gasquet, who has practiced with Nadal, believes that Nadal is playing at a decent level and is capable of being competitive and winning matches.
‣ Nadal’s performance in the upcoming Brisbane tournament and the Australian Open will be the ultimate test of his current level.