Mid-Day

The 26-year-old Spaniard has missed the last three months with a patella problem in his right knee — not taking to the court since his stunning loss to Czech Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon in June. Having sat out the Olympics — Nadal was due to be the flag-bearer for Spain — and the US Open he is itching to return. 

Rafael Nadal

But he concedes his participation in the opening major of 2013, the Aus Open in Melbourne, is under threat. Nadal told the Daily Mail: “I hope you see me in Australia. That is the biggest goal for me, but I cannot say for sure it is going to happen.”