Rafael Nadal is aiming to successfully defend his Australian Open title at the first grand slam of the year in January after an injury-plagued 2022, despite arriving a bit short of his peak level, the Spaniard said on Friday.

The 36-year-old has been training in the last few days after a Latin American exhibition tour alongside Norwegian third-ranked Casper Ruud.

He also revealed that he experienced strong emotions during the football World Cup final when Lionel Messi lifted the most important trophy of his career.

Last Sunday saw Argentina beat defending champions France in one of the most thrilling football matches ever and win the World Cup for the third time, after 1978 and 1086.

Nadal said he was happy to see Messi lift the only trophy that was missing from his cabinet. The Spaniard even teared up watching one of the greatest footballers achieve his dream after having suffered so much.

“I was going with the show because unfortunately, Spain left in the round of 16. It was a spectacular final. I feel sorry for the many French friends that I have and for all that Paris and France mean to me.

“But I also have many Argentine friends and in that sense, as a lover and nostalgic for sport, Messi lifting the World Cup made me happy. That someone so great culminates with a title that was missing, of this caliber, with all that it means for Argentina,” Nadal said.

“I spent almost a week doing nothing, which was the right thing to do,” Nadal told Spanish newspaper Diario AS.

“I did a bit of physical training, I think I’ll need a few days in Australia. I’m aware that I’m a little bit short, but I’m confident that I’ll be able to pick up the level I need to be competitive in Australia.”

Nadal, who has won a record 22 Grand Slam titles, announced earlier this week the addition of Argentine Gustavo Marcaccio to his staff, an unexpected but necessary move after the departure of veteran coach Francis Roig after 18 years in his team.

Nadal will travel to Sydney on Monday to play in the United Cup mixed tournament in preparation for the Australian Open.

Written with inputs from Reuters

Davis Cup squad announced

Calcutta: The India Davis Cup team that will take on Denmark in a Davis Cup World Group 1 play-off away tie was announced on Saturday. The All India Tennis Association (AITA) named the five-member team for the tie to be played at Royal Stage Stadium in Hillerod on February 3 and 4.

Sasikumar Mukund, Prajnesh Gunneswaran, Ramkumar Ramanathan, Rohan Bopanna and Yuki Bhambri were picked for the tie while Sumit Nagal was named as the reserve.

Rohit Rajpal stays as the non-playing captain.

The AITA said the players were selected on the basis of their availability and performance.

The team was named after a virtual selection committee meeting under the chairmanship of Nandan Bal.

India had defeated Denmark 4-0 in the Davis Cup 2022 World Group I play-off tie at the Delhi Gymkhana Club here in March.

Later, the Indian team lost to Norway 1-3 in the away tie of World Group I in Lillehammer.

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