World No. Six Rafael Nadal who was sidelined with injury for months bounced back and started the Grand Slam with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Marcos Giron of America in the first round of the tournament. The win counted his 70th win of the tournament.
The Spaniard had already started his 2022 tennis season with a trophy at the ATP CUP Melbourne Summer Set after coming back from a five-month injury break following a foot injury.
The 20 times Grand Slam champion said on the court that he went through “tough moments” and had very “challenging months” that were full of concerns.
The 35-year-old will on the 19th of January cash with a German opponent named Yannick Hanfmann who advanced to the second round by defeating Adelaide champion Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Nadal is looking to defend his 21st Grand Slam in the absence of Swiss Roger Federer who is suffering from a knee injury and went through double surgeries and Novak Djokovic who just lost his bid to play at the Australian Open following his controversial vaccination exemption and visa cancellation case. Winning at the Australian Open will make Nadal become the player with most Grand Slams in men’s singles history.
Nadal despite his last months filled with injuries said that he is “staying positive” to teh place where he won three matches and a title within a week in Melbourne.
Rafael Nadal is one of the favourites to win the title at the first Grand Slam of the year to overtake rival World Number One Serbian and Federer with the most Grand Slams.
