Nadal supports AO Covid measures: watch video here

Rafael Nadal has urged other players in lockdown to take a “wider perspective” on COVID-19 safety measures in an interview with CNN.

“I feel very sorry for all of them but when we came here, we knew that the measures were going to be strict because we knew that the country is doing great with the pandemic,” Nadal said.

“It’s a different situation than usual, it’s much more sad for everyone. But at least we’re here, we’re going to have a chance to play here. The world is suffering in general, so we can’t complain.”

Nadal has been based in Adelaide and able to train for several hours a day while undergoing two weeks of quarantine.

“Of course it is a different situation than usual,” Nadal said. “but at least we’re here.

“We’re going to have the chance to play here, and the world is suffering in general. So we can’t complain.

“We only can say thanks to Tennis Australia, to the Australian community, to welcome us and accept us to come, because I know they have been under very strict measures for a lot of months. For us it is good at least that we can keep playing tennis.”

“When we came here, we knew the measures are going to be strict because we knew that the country is doing great with the pandemic.

“You have a little bit wider perspective of what’s going on in the world, you have to think and say “well, OK, I am not happy to be 14 days in my own room without having the chance to practice, to go out, to do my normal preparation for a tournament”.