Nadal unlikely to play in Australian Open

Rafael Nadal. Pic/Getty Images

“My recovery is going well. This past month I have taken an important step. I feel happy and the doctors are happy too,” he said.

“Miracles do not exist and I am unlikely to return and compete for the Australian Open.”

Speaking on Spanish radio station, Onda Cero, Nadal said his main ambition was to be able to compete in the French Open and to hone his form in Monte Carlo in April for his favourite event, which he will try to win for a record breaking eighth time in May.

“I want to be 100 per cent in Monte Carlo and then prepare well for Roland Garros. I will only come back when I am fit and I won’t come back worrying about my knee.

“We are in the last stage of the recovery and I want to recover as soon as possible but I will not rush back and then have to stop again in six months or a year’s time,” he said.

Nadal was also asked about the possibility of tighter anti-doping controls in his sport and said he would be in favour of such a move. “I want to be 100 per cent sure that the person I am playing is just as ‘clean’ as I am,” he said, adding that he didn’t enjoy the testing process.

“Before the test, you have to lift up your shirt, drop your pants and turn around 360 degrees. I don’t really like that,” he admitted.

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