Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka (left) holds the winner’s trophy alongside Spain’s Rafael Nadal after the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Sunday.
MADRID: Rafa Nadal should recover from the back problem that wrecked his Australian Open final after a few days rest, his uncle and coach Toni told Spanish radio yesterday.
The ailing world number one lost to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday’s final, preventing the Spaniard drawing level on 14 Grand Slam singles titles with American Pete Sampras.
Nadal needed lengthy treatment at the start of the second set, hit back to win the third but Wawrinka eventually captured his debut Grand Slam with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 success.
His uncle told Cadena Ser’s El Larguero show his nephew planned to return to his native Mallorca from Melbourne before heading to Argentina where he is due to take part in a clay event in Buenos Aires starting on February 10.
“The doctor said it’s a tightening of the muscles and a few days rest should be enough,” said Toni.
“He went into the match after feeling twinges during the week but very minor ones that normally do not affect you at all.
“In the second game of the second set he felt a pinch. When I asked him after treatment what was happening he said ‘it’s over’.”
Sharapova eyes Paris tournament after Open heat
PARIS: Maria Sharapova swaps sweltering Melbourne for wet and chilly Paris yesterday hoping her love affair with the French capital will help bury her Australian Open nightmare.
The world number three was a shock fourth-round loser at the season-opening Grand Slam, going down to eventual finalist Dominika Cibulkova, her hopes hamstrung by a hip injury.
But Paris only brings back warm recent memories for the Russian star who will start the WTA indoor tournament this week as top seed at the city’s Stade Coubertin, just a short walk from Roland Garros where she clinched the French Open in 2012, completing a career Grand Slam.
Sharapova’s Melbourne campaign was just her second event since a shoulder injury ended her 2013 season in August, a setback which also ruled her out of the US Open.
“I think it’s a success in terms of that I’m back and that I’m healthy,” she said after her Australian Open exit. “That’s quite important otherwise I wouldn’t give myself a chance to play. So on that note, I have to look at the positives and see where I have come from in four or five months. I haven’t played a lot of tennis in those six months.”
Sharapova gets a first-round bye in Paris before a match-up with Slovak veteran Daniela Hantuchova or Marina Erakovic of New Zealand. AGENCIES
