Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has said he is in "good shape" ahead of his title defence at the Australian Open.
In his last seven singles matches, Nadal has lost six of them. His lone win came in a tiebreaker against Casper Ruud at the Nitto ATP Finals.
Since withdrawing from the Wimbledon semi-finals due to an abdominal ailment and losing in the fourth round of the US Open last summer, he hasn't seemed 100 per cent well.
He is 0-2 in 2023 after losing in the United Cup to Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie.
But in Melbourne, Nadal is fired up and aiming to win a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam title.
"It's true that the last couple of tournaments I wasn't able to play to my standards, and here at the beginning of the season I lost two matches in Sydney, but honestly, I am not unhappy with the preparation," Nadal said.
"I think I'm in good shape. You need to demonstrate that in matches… but I'm confident that if I am able to have this last week of positive practice, why not?"
On Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, Nadal will take on world No. 11 Hubert Hurkacz in a warm-up match before Novak Djokovic, and Nick Kyrgios play a charity match on the same court.
In the previous year's Australian Open final, Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in an exciting comeback victory.
