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Rafael Nadal hits practice courts, appears ready for 2019 ATP World Tour

By Harry Floyd

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during his men's singles semi-final match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jaime Lawson/Getty Images for USTA)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during his men's singles semi-final match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Day Twelve of the 2018 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 7, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jaime Lawson/Getty Images for USTA) /
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Former world number one Rafael Nadal is on the practice courts as he sets out to prove whether or not he is ready for the 2019 ATP World Tour.

Rafael Nadal is on the practice courts as he gears up for the coming ATP World Tour. The Spanish superstar is among the greatest players in men’s singles tennis. Last year, he battled back and forth with Swiss legend Roger Federer for the top ranking for the better part of the year. Then, Novak Djokovic reemerged and overtook both Nadal and Federer.

Time will tell whether or not Nadal can get back to full strength and make a run at the world number one ranking in 2019. Here he is via his Instagram account practicing.

Health is THE TOP priority in the coming year for the Spanish great. Last year, he managed to notch his 11th career French Open title before breaking down due to lingering injuries in the second half of the year. His absence made way for Djokovic and others. Nole would win the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open. He is red hot right now and Nadal needs to show fans that he can hang with the world number one.

Rafael Nadal hits the practice courts. Is he ready for 2019?

The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam event of the calendar year. Last year, Federer took the title on the men’s singles side. In women’s singles, Caroline Wozniacki won her first career major tournament singles title.

Wozniacki is our WAY TOO EARLY PICK to win the 2019 Australian Open. Djokovic came in as our favorite on the men’s singles side. Plenty of other veteran greats and rising stars in both men’s and women’s tennis will be competing with them. Rafa hopes to be one of them.

Nadal has just one singles title to his name at Melbourne Park that came back in 2009. That year, he defeated friend and rival Federer in the finals. The King of Clay, understandably, has fared best at Roland Garros throughout his illustrious career.

ALL 11 NADAL FRENCH OPENS. dark. Next

Here is a video Rafael Nadal released via his social media during the offseason. The tennis star appears to be pushing forward despite his 2018 injuries. He may be challenged by rising ATP World Tour stars such as Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem, especially at the 2019 French Open, but Nadal remains one of the best in men’s singles. Even if he is not quite 100 percent, Rafa ought to be a favorite in any tournament he plays. Check back to see how he fares on the 2019 ATP World Tour.

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