Rafael Nadal tests positive for COVID-19

Rafael Nadal has tested positive for COVID- 19 upon his return to Spain following his comeback appearance at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi last week.
The 20-times Grand Slam champion and former world number on Monday in a series of tweets shared the update with fans.
“I wanted to announce that on my return home after playing the Abu Dhabi tournament, I have tested positive for COVID in the PCR test that has been performed on me when I arrived in Spain,” Nadal wrote on Twitter.
Nadal also added that he had tested negative at all times when he was in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi and had last tested negative on Friday last week.
Nadal said that he was having some “unpleasant moments” but was hoping to feel better soon and would keep people informed about his plans over future tournaments.
Tanto en Kuwait como en Abu Dhabi pasamos controles cada dos días y todos resultaron negativos, el último siendo el viernes y teniendo los resultados en sábado.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) December 20, 2021
“I am having some unpleasant moments but I hope that I will improve little by little. I am now homebound and have reported the result to those who have been in contact with me,” he wrote.
“As a result of the situation I have to have total flexibility with my calendar and I will analyse my options depending on my evolution. I will keep you informed of any decisions about my future tournaments.”
The positive test casts further doubt on whether the 35-year-old participates in next month’s Australian Open.