Rafa Nadal’s Latest Health Twist
What Happened in Abu Dhabi
Rafa Nadal, the 20‑time Grand Slam champion, tested positive for Covid‑19 on Monday (Dec 20) after his comeback splash at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi. The exhibition event, his first out on the court since the Citi Open in August, saw him lose to Andy Murray and Denis Shapovalov.
Why This Matters
- The 35‑year‑old has already hinted he may not play at the next Australian Open.
- He’s the only player who’s ever won the Aussie tournament once and finished runner‑up four times.
- His current positive Covid result adds another dash of uncertainty to his schedule.
Rafa’s Own Words
On Twitter, Nadal announced:
“After returning home from Abu Dhabi, my PCR test came back positive. I was negative in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, and my last test before the return was negative on Friday last week.”
He added that he’s currently homebound and has notified everyone he’s crossed paths with:
“I’m feeling some unpleasant moments, but I hope I’ll improve little by little. I will keep you updated on any future tournaments and the evolution of my calendar.”
A Royal Twist
During his stay, Nadal met former Spanish king Juan Carlos. According to Spain’s Royal Household, the monarch, now residing in the UAE, was Covid‑negative and feeling fine. The palace noted the king was a pleasure to see.
Looking Ahead
Nadal’s situation underscores the need for flexibility. While he’s not fully certain whether he’ll hit the Australian Open, he promises to keep the tennis world informed as his health progresses.
