Rafael Nadal, who is planning to return to the tour in January, doesn’t think he has a good shot to win the Australian Open. The former No. 1, who has not competed since Wimbledon, is currently rehabilitating his knees and practicing. He is scheduled to play an exhibition at the end of this month in Abu Dhabi, then will play an ATP tournament in Doha.
“I would like to come back in January,” Nadal told Spain’s ABC Radio. “I don’t expect to go and win the Australian Open, you have to be realistic. I’m not worried about results in the first tournaments. I want to be 100 percent by Monte Carlo through Roland Garros.”
Nadal added that he did consider undergoing surgery, but instead chose to rehabilitate his knees. He said he would play Davis Cup next year if his knees allow him to and the captain picks him for the team. Spain will face Canada in Vancouver, five days after the Australian Open ends.