Rafael Nadal is playing down his chances of winning the Australian
Open, as he tries get back to his best form after injury and
appendicitis.
The Spaniard won the Australian Open in 2009, but has been most successful at the French, where he has taken home nine titles.
He had his appendix removed in November and also suffered wrist and back injuries in 2014.
"It will be difficult but I'm working as much as I can to be competitive," he said.
Nadal earlier this month lost to Germany's Michael Berrer in the first round of the Qatar Open.
"It
would be better if I had a few more matches [approaching the Australian
Open], but in the end that's what there is and the important thing for
me is that I am back and healthy and competitive again," he said.
"I've got to try my best in the first round, if I am able to win a couple of matches then you don't know."
Nadal
was speaking at a promotional event for one of the Open's corporate
sponsors at Melbourne Park on Thursday, where he met briefly with
Essendon football club players David Zaharakis and Brendon Goddard.
The
footballers presented him with a signed AFL football, showing him how
to handpass, and a Bombers jumper with "Rafa" printed on the back, as
photographers snapped pictures.
The Australian Open begins on Monday.
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