Australian Open 2021: Rafael Nadal ‘survives’ amid injury fears to reach second round

Spaniard showed no signs of being physically compromised as he dismantled Laslo Djere

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, winner of the 2009 Australian Open (Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal allayed injury fears and a lack of match practice to dismantle Laslo Djere 6-3 6-4 6-1 and advance to the second round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

The Spaniard, bidding for a record 21st Grand Slam title this fortnight in Melbourne, had pulled out of his nation's ATP Cup campaign, citing a back issue, and his spirits were low ahead of the year's first major.

Yet he was close to his all-action, fist-pumping best as he bounced around a sun-bathed Rod Laver Arena in the final set against Djere and painted the lines with trademark top-spin bombs.

"It's been a tough 15 days for me," said 2009 champion Nadal. "I needed to survive today, so that's what I did.

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"I'm still alive and that's the main thing."

Second seed Nadal said his back was still bothering him against world No. 56 Djere in the Spaniard's first match since losing in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in November.

"Today it's not great. I needed to change a little bit the motion of my serve. That's what I tried to survive that condition today," said the 34-year-old.

"I need to go day-to-day and just try to stay positive."

Sharing the all-time Grand Slam title record with Roger Federer, Nadal has not been able to add to his 2009 championship at Melbourne Park despite four subsequent trips to the final, with astring of injuries having hurt his chances in Melbourne through the years.

Reuters