28 Jan 2014

Rafa Nadal should be okay in a few days

11:27 am on 28 January 2014

Rafa Nadal's uncle and coach Toni, says the Spanish tennis star should recover from the back problem that wrecked his Australian Open final after a few days rest.

The ailing world number one lost to Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka in Sunday night's final, preventing the Spaniard drawing level on 14 grand slam singles titles with American Pete Sampras.

Nadal needed lengthy treatment at the start of the second set.

Toni Nadal says his nephew planned to return to his native Mallorca before heading to Argentina where he is due to take part in a clay event in Buenos Aires in a fortnight.

He says the doctor says it's a tightening of the muscles and a few days rest should be enough.