Former world No.1 Rafa Nadal said his title win at the Melbourne Summer Set 1 on Sunday was one to cherish, as the Spaniard made a successful return to competition from a niggling foot injury that had kept him out for nearly four months.
The 35-year-old captured his 89th career title after seeing off American qualifier Maxime Cressy 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 in the final of the ATP 250 event ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 17.
Nadal saved a set point in the first-set tie-break and fought back from a break down in the second set, before closing out the match in one hour 44 minutes.
“Very happy to start the 2022 season with a title... and from where we are coming, it’s very special,” said Nadal. “Tonight I think I played my best match so far since I arrived here, without a doubt, against a very difficult player.”
Nadal participated in an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi last month but tested positive for Covid-19 on his return, further affecting his preparation for the Australian Open where he is aiming for his second title -- and first since 2009.
“If we put everything together and analyse all the things that I went through the last five months, including the Covid after Abu Dhabi, of course I am happy,” he added.
Nadal insisted there was still much to be done to add to his tally of 20 majors, a record he currently shares with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. “Well, exactly where I would like to be is being 100 per cent healthy... playing until the end of the season... and I’m going to try hard.”