Nadal thankful for opportunity to play in Adelaide

Rafael Nadal is one of the players in Adelaide where he is participating in the Adelaide Exhibition, the first tennis event to feature a significant crowd.

Rafael Nadal stepped onto the Adelaide courts in the evening hours as part of the night session and the event to face Dominic Thiem. It was something special for Rafa who echoed similar sentiments to his fellow colleagues after the match:

"The last two weeks have been great; we can't thank enough for South Australia and Tennis Australia for all the positive things they make."

Similar to Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, Nadal also expressed satisfaction of playing in front of fans again:

“I think for both of us it's been an amazing pleasure to be here in Adelaide for the first time in our lives. Has been amazing to play again in front of you guys, we missed a lot."

The conversation shifted towards the looming Australian Open who is ever closer and for Nadal, it is a special one which he aims to win:

“I hope to have the right preparation for the Australian Open. I won in 2009, but I think almost everybody forgets about that. But I keep trying hard and this year is a special one and I'm gonna keep trying my best.”