Nadal doubt for Aussie Open due to Covid-19

MADRID • Rafael Nadal yesterday confirmed he had tested positive for Covid-19, after returning from his comeback appearance at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who is fully vaccinated, said he was having some "unpleasant moments" but was hoping to feel better soon and would keep people informed about his plans over future tournaments.

The positive test casts further doubt on whether the 35-year-old will participate in next month's Australian Open - a tournament he has won once and finished runner-up four times.

Over the weekend, the Spaniard suggested he could not guarantee his attendance at Melbourne Park over lingering fitness concerns.

"I wanted to announce that on my return home after playing the Abu Dhabi tournament, I have tested positive for Covid-19 in the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that has been performed on me when I arrived in Spain," Nadal wrote on Twitter.

The former world No. 1 added he had tested negative at all times when he was in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, and had last tested negative last Friday.

His comeback from injury at the exhibition, having not played since August, ended in two defeats by Andy Murray and Denis Shapovalov.

On his infection, Nadal added: "I am having some unpleasant moments but I hope that I will improve little by little. I am now homebound and have reported the result to those who have been in contact with me.

"As a result of the situation, I have to have total flexibility with my calendar and I will analyse my options depending on my evolution. I will keep you informed of any decisions about my future tournaments."

Nadal had been due to fly to Melbourne later this month to compete in an ATP 250 event ahead of the Australian Open, which begins at Melbourne Park on Jan 17, but that is also now in doubt.

While in Abu Dhabi, he was seen talking to former Spanish king Juan Carlos I without a mask.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS