MADRID— World number two Rafael Nadal on Thursday said doubts remain over his fitness ahead of next week’s Australian Open.
Nadal pulled out of Spain’s ATP Cup tie against Australia on Tuesday with a lower back problem and, despite some improvement, said he was still far away from the level required to play at the year’s first Grand Slam.
“It’s not that I’m in a really bad way, but I’m also not alright in the sense that I can’t play either,” Nadal told Spanish television channel Movistar+.
“I’ve improved a little but I’m not in a position where I can go and play a game at full intensity.”
Nadal’s name was also absent from Spain’s ATP Cup tie on Friday against Greece at …
Keep on reading: Nadal still struggling with back problem ahead of Australian Open