Rafael Nadal welcomes Novak Djokovic’s 2023 Australian Open return as ‘good for tennis’

Rafael Nadal believes Novak Djokovic’s much-anticipated return to the Australian Open is “good for tennis”.

Djokovic did not play the 2022 Australian Open after a 10-day saga ended with him being deported from the country because he is unvaccinated against Covid-19.

Djokovic’s absence helped Nadal get off to a blistering start to the season as he secured only his second title in Melbourne.

As he gears up for the first edition of the United Cup in Australia, Nadal welcomed Djokovic’s return to the country.

“Novak is here, good for tennis, good probably for the fans,” he said.

“Let’s see, no? Best players on court is always better.”

Nadal, 36, will look to defend his crown in January and is insistent that it won’t be his last outing at the Australian Open as he hushed talk of retirement.

“Last trip to Australia? No,” Nadal said. “As a professional, you never know, hopefully not.

“I mean, when you are at the age of 36 you never know when it’s going to be the last one.

“It’s obvious, but I don’t like to talk about that because I am not in that mood now.

“I’m just focused on trying to play at the highest level possible and give myself a possibility to keep being competitive, to fight for anything.

“That’s my goal now, I’m not thinking about it being my last time here, if that’s the last time, let’s try to enjoy it as much as possible and let’s try to create something special.

“I am happy doing what I am doing. I’m looking forward to keep doing this.”

Nadal enjoyed an incredible start to the 2022 season with wins at the Australian Open and a 14th French Open title before injuries crept up on him.

He struggled with an abdominal injury during Wimbledon, which ultimately forced him to withdraw from a semi-final clash with Nick Kyrgios.

In a match where Nadal was still clearly struggling from the injury, Frances Tiafoe got the better of him at the US Open as the American beat the 22-time Grand Slam winner in the last 16.

The United Cup starts on December 29.

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