Tennis: Rafael Nadal triumphs in Melbourne, one week before the Australian Open

After five months of absence, the return to competition is already a winner for Rafael Nadal.

From his first tournament of the year, the Spaniard added a new trophy to his collection by winning the ATP 250 in Melbourne.

In the final, the 6th player in the world dominated the American born in France Maxime Cressy, from the qualifications (n ​​° 112), without great difficulty (7-6 [6], 6-3).

He is bound to be one of the favorites for the Australian Open, which starts next week.

Title No. 89 🤯 @ RafaelNadal l #MelbourneTennis pic.twitter.com/KBzvzw5aLt

- Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 9, 2022

With this success in Australia, Nadal continues to fill, at the age of 35, a trophy cabinet that has become impressive: it is his 89th career title, for 126 finals contested.

Since his first victory on the circuit in 2005, he has won at least one title each year.

In Melbourne, he also set the tone, since he has not conceded a single set.

Objective 21st Grand Slam title

The performance is all the more encouraging as Nadal had not set foot on a court for five months and had been stationary since his epic semi-final at Roland Garros against Novak Djokovic in June.

A problem in his left foot and then the Covid-19 had prevented him from finishing the season.

This new title comes at the best time, since the Spaniard will try to win, still in Melbourne, a 21st Grand Slam title from next Monday.

Read also Djokovic case: "He knew the conditions", when Nadal tackles his Serbian rival

“It's a big comeback for me after six months without competition,” he explained before the final.

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 ”.