I won’t risk health for a Slam

BUT NADAL STILL ON FOR 21

RAFA NADAL has told Novak Djokovic: You don’t win Grand Slam titles if you are really injured.

And the Spaniard claimed he would no longer risk his health by playing through the pain barrier.

World No1 Djokovic, who revealed he suffered an abdominal muscle “tear” last week, did not want to discuss his “medical conditions” after reaching the last eight of the Australian Open, but said he could suffer further damage by playing on in his pursuit of his 18th Grand Slam title.

World No2 Nadal reported his back injury was getting better after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over Fabio Fognini.

Nadal said: “The first set, without a doubt, was my best level in the tournament.”

The world’s top two are seeded to meet in Sunday’s final.And Nadal, who is seeking a men’s record 21st singles Grand Slam title, said he had often played in the big events with injuries.

He said: “I made mistakes in the past because it’s impossible to know exactly what’s going on when you are competing. For example, I remember I started the US Open with an abdominal strain. It was six millimetres at the start, I lost in that semi-final to Del Potro and at the end of the tournament it was 26mm. Of course it wasn’t a smart decision.

“You need to find a balance, but of course at this point of my career, if there is a big chance to increase something very important, probably I will not play, because happiness is much more important than a chance to win. I am motivated to win more Grand Slams but I am not obsessed.

“At the same time, if you are bad, you will not win. If you really have physical problems, you will not win.

“If you have some pain, maybe you can find a way. But when you really have an injury, it’s impossible to win a tournament like this.”

Andy Murray is still to decide whether to play a second Challenger event in Italy this week after losing in the final in Biella on Sunday.

Eurosport analyst Tim Henman said: “He believes he can still win on tour. I think he can. The Slams, best-of-five sets, the recovery, I don’t know.”