Rafael Nadal has updated his 2015 schedule, and set a message for 2016.
Nadal has indicated that he hopes to play doubles in both Basel and Paris-Bercy. He will play with Marc Lopez, who is a consistent partner for Nadal when he chooses to play doubles, in Basel. In Paris, he will play with forty-two year old Leander Paes, an eight time Grand Slam champion in doubles. Nadal will also play the singles events at both tournaments, as he seeks to confirm his place in London for ATP World Tour Finals. He is yet to win the Masters crown in Paris-Bercy, his best finish a runner-up against David Nalbandian in 2007. He currently has more than 1,000 points more than the nearest challenger in ninth position. Nadal is World No 7, but currently sixth in the race to London after his strong showing in Beijing last week.
Nadal also set down a message for 2016, regarding his aspirations and schedule. Nadal on the Australian Open “I am working so hard to arrive at the Australian Open with the feeling that I can fight for it“. Nadal won the Australian Open title for the only time in 2009, when he defeated Roger Federer in a five set thriller.
He has also confirmed his intention to defend his title on the clay of Buenos Aires. He won the 2015 title after defeating close friend Juan Monaco in straight sets, and did not play in 2014. The tournament takes place in the second week of February, and Nadal had suggested that he may not play in Argentina in 2016 due to the Olympics later in the year. But he has reversed his decision, and will join David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in headlining the event.
