Romelu Lukaku has described events leading up to his Chelsea exit this summer as ‘shocking’ and claims there were moments before his move to Roma that made him ‘explode’.

The striker spent last season on loan at Inter and was expected to complete a permanent move to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window.

However, Inter were angered after learning that Lukaku had also been negotiating with Juventus, whose own supporters staged multiple protests against signing the Belgium international.

Lukaku eventually returned to Chelsea in the summer but was made to train away from Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team squad before he eventually joined Roma on loan.

‘Most of the people in the room know me. You know that I don’t like to beat around the bush. I will speak in time but if I really said how it all went last summer everyone would be shocked,’ Lukaku said during a press conference with Belgium’s national team on Wednesday.

‘There were moments when I really could explode, five years ago I probably would have done that too.

‘Now I have concentrated on what I can do best – playing football.

‘As soon as the negotiations [with Roma] started, I became well informed about the club, the supporters. I must also thank Radja [Nainggolan] who gave me a lot of information. I spent a lot of time talking to Jose Mourinho. The rest is work.

‘I worked very hard alone this summer to the point of surprising the Roma staff. I was in a positive mindset, I hadn’t played at my true level for two years and I had to do my best to be back. I was lucky to be able to count on great teammates and staff who helped me.

‘It was said that I was going to sign there or there but that was false. I preferred to remain silent.

’90 per cent of what was said in the media was false and it was hard to keep my mouth shut. I take an example from LeBron James. Every year we hit him. I’m not LeBron but he had the character to always respond and show that he’s there.

‘During the summer I saw what people said about me and I trained to be there the day I had to perform. One day I will tell the truth. The others will also have to assume it at that time.’

When asked about interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the summer, Lukaku said: ‘I was honoured by that interest but after the conversations I was not completely convinced.

‘They are the biggest club in the Middle East and the league there will become one of the biggest in the world, but I didn’t want to leave Europe yet.’

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Australian Open chief Craig Tiley appears to have dismissed speculation that Rafael Nadal is set to retire by confirming the tennis legend is set to compete at January’s Australian Open.

The 37-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match since his shock second round defeat in Melbourne against Mackenzie McDonald earlier this year.

A hip injury forced the Spaniard to make the painful decision to withdraw from both the French Open and Wimbledon during the summer and focus on his rehabilitation.

During a lengthy period of inactivity, speculation has been rife that the 22 time Grand Slam champion would call time on his illustrious career has been rife.

In his absence, Novak Djokovic has surpassed his majors haul but Tiley insists Nadal will be back in January to compete against one of his greatest rivals again.

‘We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,’ Tiley told the Today show.

‘He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about. That’s awesome.’

Nadal, meanwhile, has hardly spoken publicly on his future since the lengthy press conference he gave back in May when he detailed the painful decision he had made to swerve the clay court season.

‘After many years playing there, you can imagine how much of a difficult decision it’s been for me,’ he said. This isn’t a decision I’ve made, it’s a decision my body has made. I’m not going to be playing for the next few months.’

Asked about taking a break from the game, he said: ‘I’ve got to draw a line and that’s what I’m doing now.

‘Over the next few months I’m going to strengthen my physical state and recuperate.

‘I need to put my career on hold and I’m going to try and regenerate my body.

‘I’m not going to set a deadline – that’s going to be when I will feel ready physically.’

MORE : Novak Djokovic breaks Roger Federer record as Rafael Nadal’s uncle aims dig at him

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Andy Murray smashed his racket in frustration and appeared to pushed a camera out of the way following his defeat at the China Open.

The former world no1 crashed out at the first round stage in Beijing after a 6-3 5-7 7-6 (8-6) defeat Alex de Minaur.

Murray had been leading 5-2 in the deciding set but failed to capitalise on two match points.

In a tense tie break, de Minaur raced into a lead before the Scot hit back with four points to set up a third match point only to pass it up once again, dropping both of his serves to fall to defeat.

On a frustrating evening, the two-time Wimbledon champion was issued a code violation for smashing his racket on the ground after allowing his opponent to break his serve in the second set.

After shaking hands with his opponent following their contest, Murray appeared to pushed a TV camera out of his way as he sought to make a quick exit off the court.

Murray and de Minaur have met five times with the Australian winning each of those matches.

‘I think we probably both didn’t bring our best level today so it’s an absolutely scrap fest,’ de Minaur said.

‘But I’m happy I was able to get my first win, probably in a very, very long time, where I’ve saved some match points.t

‘More than anything, it’s probably down to my attitude. I kind of kept my head screwed on and just told myself to keep trying, keep trying and keep backing myself.

‘And eventually I was going to find my level, and I’m very happy I was able to turn that around.’

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