Rafael Nadal: 'ATP Cup is not testing ground for Melbourne, we want title'

The first edition of the ATP Cup kicks off on Friday, with many top players battling for the title and the ATP points. The Davis Cup Finals champions Spain is among the favorites for the title in Sydney as well, led by world no. 1 Rafael Nadal and Roberto Bautista Agut. Spain will embrace the round-robin action in Perth and it will be the first time that Rafa competes at RAC Arena as he never played the Hopman Cup for Spain, making a debut against Nikoloz Basilashvili on Saturday, January 4. On Wednesday morning, Rafa took a trip to Rottnest Island together with Feliciano Lopez, Pablo Carreno Busta and Roberto Bautista Agut, enjoying a day off and having time to explore the beautiful island and its famous quokkas.

Nadal will try to continue where he left in 2019, losing only two matches after Madrid in May and earning the year-end no. 1 honor for the fifth time in a career. After two Major crowns in the season behind us, the Spaniard will try to catch Roger Federer in 2020 but the ATP Cup is not the testing ground ahead of the Australian Open for him, feeling ready to give his 100% together with his teammates and chase another team title after that strong display in Madrid in November. 

"We are not taking this competition like preparation for another one, even if the Australian Open is around the corner," Nadal said. "It's a tournament that we want to compete well in, and then we'll have a week before the Australian Open to practice or to play Adelaide and Auckland. We are very focused on trying to be ready for this competition. We are a team that gives the maximum but other teams are also prepared for that. The injuries are the negative part of our beautiful sport; I wish Kei Nishikori a good recovery. Quokkas are super friendly and not too scared to be close to the people; we had some fun with them."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2SLgNtH