Paris, November 2 (BNA) The world’s fifth seed, Rafa Nadal, said that he is seeking to return from injury at an exhibition to be held in Abu Dhabi next month, before playing another tournament in preparation for the Australian Open.
Nadal struggled with back problems earlier this year and withdrew from Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics. She last participated in August at the Citi Open in Washington, according to Reuters.
He announced ahead of the US Open that an injury to his left foot would rule him out for the rest of the year but said on Monday he could return at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships on December 16-18.
“My plan is to play for Abu Dhabi in December and to play a tournament before I play the Australian Open,” Nadal said at a sponsorship event in Paris.
“I don’t know exactly when I will be back, but I can say my goal is to try to come back to Abu Dhabi in December and then, of course, start the new season in January.
“The injury to my foot still needs to improve a bit, but I’m already training for about an hour and a half a day, which is positive.”
Nadal will bid to win the 21st men’s major title at the Australian Open, which is scheduled to start on January 17.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said unvaccinated players would not be allowed to play even though Prime Minister Scott Morrison told local media they could compete but only after they had been quarantined for 14 days.