Nadal is back, and it’s all about his back

By: 10 years ago

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the final match of the Qatar Open tournament in Doha against France’s Gael Monfils on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. AP FILE PHOTO

RIO DE JANEIRO—Rafael Nadal is back, and it’s all about his back.

Top-ranked Nadal injured his back warming up for the final of the Australian Open almost three weeks ago, eventually losing against Stanislas Wawrinka — a match he was an overwhelming favorite to win.

Nadal has practiced little since then, getting treatment at home in Mallorca. His first test comes in next week’s Rio Open, a new stop on the ATP Tour.

Nadal is cautious speaking about the back, saying: “we’ll have to see how it goes. I hope I can tolerate it.”