Rafael Nadal won the ATP 250 tournament in Melbourne for his return to the circuit after five months of absence, at the expense of the American Maxime Cressy (112th), beaten 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 on Sunday, eight days before the Australian Open (January 17-30).
Nadal, 35 years old and now world number 6, was almost at a standstill since his semi-final lost at Roland Garros last June, because of his recalcitrant left foot, with the exception of two games played in early August in Washington . The Spaniard was infected with Covid-19 at the end of December during an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi.