Rafael Nadal is set to start his 2022 season at the Melbourne ATP 250 ahead of the Australian Open.
The Spaniard will lead the list of “good players” attending the tournament, including Former US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori, Former World No. 5 Kevin Anderson, and “Next Gen half-time” Grigor Dimitrov.
Nadal has dropped down to world number six after another injury-hit season, in which he won two titles, triumphing in Barcelona and Rome.
He has only won the Australian Open once, in 2009, but has since been beaten four times in the final, in 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2019.
On the other hand, the dispute for a wild-card slot to attend next year’s Australian Open, a wildcard slot distributed to the French Federation (FFT), between veteran tennis players Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Lucas Pouille has ended.
FFT had awarded the wild-card slot to Pouille, but Tsonga was not satisfied, he thought that he had contributed more, so he deserved this wild-card slot.
Tsonga said he really wants this wild-card, because it is unlikely that he will still play after the 2022 season.
“I just want to play. Several times, I asked myself if I should continue playing, if my motivation to play still exists. And I have to say, it’s still intact. In the end, what drives me forward is still passion.” Tsonga said.
“I’m not scared, I know when I’ll stop, but I have to keep it a secret to myself. At first, I played football because it helped me live, could afford to buy a house, an apartment. Then for food, expenses for other things.
“But now, things are completely different because I have been with the ATP Tour for the past 15 years. Now, I play because I want to do better, I want to prove to myself that I’m still useful on the court.” he added.
