PREVIEW: Nadal to keep opinions to himself as Australian Open begins

By Bill Scott Jan 15, 2012, 5:50 GMT

Melbourne - 2009 champion Rafael Nadal begins his Australian Open campaign on Monday against American Alex Kuznetsov, with the second seed still planning to stick to his programme of taking time off in February no matter how far he progresses over the next fortnight at Melbourne Park.

'I'm here in Australia 2012 with big motivation, with big passion, and trying to enjoy the previous weeks,' said the 25-year-old who ended 2011 on a down note as his game and mind ran out of energy and passion in the closing stages.

The ten-time Grand Slam winner has not lifted a trophy since claiming the French Open in June and missed several weeks of December off-season training due to a lingering shoulder injury which he now says is fine.

'I'm happy, I'm practising well. I'm enjoying everything and I will try to be ready for tomorrow,' said the Spaniard.

Nadal announced last month that he would take time off next month during a crowded season which also includes the London Olympics. 'This is not football where you have your matches, your calendar.

'We make out a calender every day. It doesn't depend on how many events you play, it depends how many matches you play.'

The world number two also said that he will cut down on his public complaints and criticisms of what he sees as injustices in tennis after getting nowhere with laments in the past over the Davis Cup and ATP schedules plus the distribution of prize money at the majors.

As vice-president of the ATP Player Council, Nadal has a public forum, but he says all of his talking has only gained him notoriety and has accomplished nothing so far.

He refused to be drawn out on discussions held Saturday at an annual player meeting where reports indicated some were pushing for a player strike at upcoming Grand Slams over prize money.

Nadal has his thoughts, but he's not making them public anymore. 'I'm the one who in the past talked a lot about the calendar, talked a lot about the Davis Cup, talked a lot about the problem with the US Open.

'Now I not going to be the one who keep talking about a lot of things. I want to talk when we have real chances to make things happen.

'At the end of the day I look like I am the one who always talk about things that must change, and I don't win anything on that. I just lose time, energy, and the people can think that he's always the one who says the bad things, the negative things.'

In other opening-day matches, third-seeded Roger Federer plays Russian Alexander Kudryavtsev with the Swiss happy with the state of his back. He had spasms in Doha at the stat of the season and had to quit before a semi-final match.

Czech number seven Tomas Berdych starts with Spain's Albert Ramos, while Argentine Juan Del Potro, seeded 11th, faces Adrian Mannarino of France.

On the women's side, weekend Sydney champion Victoria Azarenka starts with Briton Heather Watson, holder Kim Clijsters plays Maria Joao Koehler of Portugal and WTA number one Caroline Wozniacki faces Australian Anastasia Rodionova.