Rafael Nadal queries the number of injuries on tour

RAFAEL Nadal has urged tennis authorities to investigate why “there’s too many injuries on the tour” as speculation swirls the players are driving a push to move the Australian Open to a later date.

Rafael Nadal hasn’t played a lead-up event for the Australian Open because of knee soreness. Picture: AFP

RAFAEL Nadal has urged tennis authorities to analyse the reasons behind the sport’s injury epidemic as speculation swirls around a player-driven push to move the Australian Open to a later date.

Preparing for his first-round Melbourne Park clash with Victor Estrella Burgos, Nadal said “there is too many injuries on the tour”, pointing to the absence of Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori and injury concerns for others.

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“I am not the one to say, but somebody have to look about what’s going on,” the Spaniard said.

“I repeat. I am not the one to take decisions. But when something is happening too often, something we are not doing well.

“I am not saying what to do. I am just playing tennis. But when something is happening, you need to analyse why.”

Rafael Nadal wants tennis authorities to investigate why there are so many injuries on the tour. Picture: Getty Images

The issue of starting the Australian Open later in the season will be resisted by Tennis Australia amid moves to recast the 2019 or 2020 summer schedule with the introduction of the World Teams Cup.

The matters were raised during the official player meeting in Melbourne.

Nadal will contest his 13th Open without the benefit of a lead-up rankings point match after sufering knee soreness at the ATP Tour Finals in London in November.

“Is the first I am here without playing official match in my career. Is new situation for me,” he said.

“But I feel good. I feel that I had good week and a half of practices. Remain this afternoon and tomorrow, the last practice before the competition start for me.

“I really hope to be ready. I feel myself more or less playing well.

“I started little bit later than what I expected. That’s why I was not able to start the year playing in Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.

“We decided to start later because we needed some more practice, start slow, to be fresher, little bit more fresh mentally and physically, and do things the right way. That’s what we tried to do.

“Here we are to try my best, try to see if I am able to start.”

Rafael Nadal has a practice session at Melbourne Park as he prepares for the Australian Open. Picture: AFP

Nadal, 31, and world No 81 Burgos have never played.

Winner of 16 majors, Nadal said he was not distracted by the possibility of a rematch with Roger Federer in a repeat of last year’s astonishing men’s final.

“I don’t think about that. I think about first round I play against Estrella Burgos,” he said.

“I go day by day as I always did. Is going to be the first official match of the year. Don’t make sense to think farther than that.

“I am looking to have a good practice this afternoon, good practice tomorrow, and be ready for Monday. That’s my goal. And let’s see.

“Important for me is beginning of the tournament this year.”

If successful, Nadal would become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to have won all four grand slam singles titles at twice.