The top-ranked players quarantining in Adelaide have been permitted to have one training partner each during the isolation period. Interestingly, World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has chosen teenager Jannik Sinner as his training partner ahead of the 2021 Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal to train with Sinner

Recently, in an interview, Italian Davis Cup captain Corrado Barazzutti contended Sinner has a great opportunity to learn from Nadal’s experience before competing at the first Grand Slam of the year. Sinner ended the 2020 season by claiming his maiden ATP title at the Sofia Open.

“Jannik Sinner will have the opportunity to train with Rafael Nadal in Australia and this experience will make him grow. He will have to deal with the pressure. Everyone expects great results soon and will have ups and downs” said Barazzutti.

With Nadal being one of the mentally strongest players ever, Sinner could understand ways to deal with pressure from the Spaniard. Last year, Sinner registered his best Grand Slam performance by reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open but lost to eventual champion, Nadal.

Ranked No. 36, Sinner is one of the most promising athletes on the tour and possesses an incredible two-hand backhand. The Italian will play at one of the warm-up ATP 250 events, which begin a week before the Australian Open.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal, will lead Team-Spain at the second edition of the ATP Cup. At the inaugural ATP Cup last year, Nadal lost to arch-rival Novak Djokovic in the final, with Serbia winning the title.

If Nadal wins the Australian Open title, he will become the first man in the Open Era to clinch a double career Grand Slam. However, Melbourne Park has remained elusive for the Nadal, with him losing in all his four finals appearances over the last decade.