Rafael Nadal is feeling vulnerable before Australian Open begins

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15th Jan, 2023. 12:51 pm
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Spaniard has lost six of his last seven matches.
Iga Swiatek is the top seed for the ladies but faces an uphill battle.
Rafael Nadal vs Jack Draper on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal begins the Australian Open Monday feeling vulnerable and up against a dangerous young opponent. Iga Swiatek, the top seed for the ladies, too has a challenging matchup as she pursues a first title.

At Melbourne Park, the first Grand Slam of the year gets underway, with the men’s world number one position on the line and a new women’s champion on the line after Ashleigh Barty’s shocking retirement following her victory last year.

Nadal, 36, has lost six of his last seven matches, including his first two this year, and faces Britain’s in-form Jack Draper on Rod Laver Arena in the afternoon.

Being ranked made it “perhaps one of the hardest first-round (games) possible,” according to the top seed and 22-time Grand Slam winner. “Young, strong, rising quickly in the rankings, playing well.”

“One of the most emotional victories of my tennis career.”
🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal reflects on one of the all-time great Australian Open finals. #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/Tm5QQXVHvk
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2023

Despite Nadal being an idol, the 21-year-old Draper made the semi-finals of the Adelaide International this week and insisted he would not be intimidated.

“I want to go there and compete hard and play well, and of course, I want to win the match. So that will be the strategy “He stated.

Nadal won the title last year with a thrilling five-set win over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who faces American Marcos Giron in an evening match on centre court.

In the absence of nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, who is back this year and the big favourite after missing the 2022 competition when he was deported due to his Covid vaccination stance, his journey to a first Australian crown since 2009 took place.

On Tuesday, the 35-year-old Serbian takes the court against Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain in an effort to not only win a 10th championship and match Nadal’s record of 22 Slams, but also to recapture the top spot in the world.

“I like my chances,” said Djokovic, who is in good shape after winning at Adelaide last week and another ATP Finals victory at the end of 2022.

He can reclaim his title by raising the trophy. According to the governing body ATP, so can Norway’s Casper Ruud and Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.

If neither Djokovic nor Tsitsipas win the tournament, world number three Ruud can become world number one by reaching the final.

The reign of Carlos Alcaraz, who is sidelined in Melbourne due to injury, will continue if none of those events transpire.

Tsitsipas begins his campaign on Margaret Court Arena against France’s Quentin Halys, with Ruud competing on Tuesday.

Rafael Nadal is feeling vulnerable before Australian Open begins

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