Nadal invites himself to the final in Melbourne after five months of absence

While Novak Djokovic, isolated in a seedy hotel in Melbourne, still does not know if he will be able to play the Australian Open where he is looking for a 10th local coronation and a historic 21st title in Grand Slam, Rafael Nadal, a few kilometers away, calmly repeats his ranges.

And with success.

One week before the Australian Grand Slam (January 17-30), the Spaniard qualified for the final of the ATP 250 tournament in Melbourne on Saturday.

He will face, on the Rod Laver Arena, the American Maxime Cressy (112th).

This Saturday he defeated the Finnish Emil Ruusuvuori (95th) 6-4, 7-5 in almost two hours, two days after his first vintage victory in 2022 against the Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis (104th) 6-2, 7-5 .

Between the two, his other opponent, the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (65th), forfeited.

This qualification for the 126th final of his career is obviously not the most prestigious but it is important for the player and his fans.

Nadal made his comeback on the circuit in Melbourne.

He hadn't set foot on a court for five months.

A long absence that questioned his level.

📊 Largest number of qualifications in the final on the ATP circuit:

🇺🇸 Jimmy Connors - 164 finals

🇨🇭 Roger Federer - 157

🇨🇿 Ivan Lendl - 146

🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal - 126💥

🇷🇸 Novak Djokovic - 123

🇺🇸 John McEnroe - 109

🇷🇴 Ilie Nastase - 104

🇦🇷 Guillermo Vilas - 104

- Game, Set and Math (@JeuSetMaths) January 8, 2022

Stopped since his epic semi-final lost at Roland Garros last June against Djokovic - with the exception of two games played in early August in Washington - because of his recalcitrant left foot, then contaminated by the Covid-19 late December during an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, Nadal, who slipped to 6th place in the world, reassures himself "step by step".

"It's a big comeback for me after six months without competition," said the Spaniard, who will be aiming for a 21st Grand Slam title in Australia to overtake Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

There are of course things I need to do better.

After a long absence, we're still a little worried about what might happen, but my body is holding on for now.

I have already known all that, I know how to do it and I know that you have to be patient ”.

An 89th title in sight

Against Ruusuvuori, Nadal was able to make the difference at the end of the round, even if he let the Finn break in the second while he was used to win the match at 5 games at 3. "It's normal that I commit mistakes, it's normal that I am sometimes a little slower than usual, adds the 35-year-old Mallorcan.

When you're a tennis player you know you're not going to play until you're 50, but I make the most of it while I can.

"

In the other semi-final, Cressy, from qualifying and adept at stealing service, surprised the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (28th) (7-5, 7-6) and invited himself to the final for the first time in his career. , at 24 years old.

Nadal will aim for an 89th title.