Rafael Nadal

2023 - 1 - 16

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Australian Open 2023 day one: Rafael Nadal v Jack Draper – live (The Guardian)

Game-by-game report: Rafa Nadal faces a potential banana skin in the first round against rising British star Jack Draper. Join Angus Fontaine for updates.

The US duo Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are also through to the second round. Weather update: According to our woman on the ground, Emma Kemp, it’s “hot af” in Melbourne today. Despite the furnace-like heat the combatants will have a quick warm up and then we’ll get to the action. The players are spotted in the bowels of Rod Laver Arena. There’s a 12 shot rally for the third point, the ball bouncing high but Rafa takes the point and then the game to love. Tumaini Carayol had this to say about the clash: Nadal’s training top and shoes match the colour of the blue court, but once he peels his top off, he’s in a bright orange playing shirt. The in-form Jack Draper is his opponent. The serve is his weapon and his first rips down the line, too fast for Nadal. Elevated to top seed following the withdrawal of injured world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz. He wins both opening rallies and then draws Draper into the net for the third point. Nadal* 2-1 Draper (* denotes server) Nadal has been highly critical of the balls being used in this tournament and they do appear to be bouncing big on the players, requiring each to take them on the rise and roll high shoulders at them.

'Vulnerable' Nadal faces 'toughest' first-round test against rising Brit ... (Fox Sports)

Follow the action below as Nadal takes on Draper (third match on Rod Laver Arena, not before 2.30pm AEDT). Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. Live ...

Whatever happens, it’ll be a special occasion for me, still very young in my career, so it’s great to have these sort of experiences and exposure to playing someone like Rafa on a big court like that.” I need to build again this confidence with myself with victories. “A big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament. “I need to build again all this momentum. Just accept the situation. Commentator John Fitzgerald said on Channel Nine, “goodness me, that’s a big mistake and he knows.

Cameron Norrie backs Jack Draper to trouble Rafael Nadal: 'It's a ... (Tennis365)

Cameron Norrie has warned Jack Draper he will need to go to the well if he is to have a chance of upsetting defending champion Rafael Nadal in the opening ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) “I would have liked to have lifted that trophy and that was why I was a bit emotional. [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) “I still have photos with all the players. I am still hungry to keep pushing and hopefully I will get that title one day.” Wanting to be one of those players. The way I played was huge and I took a lot of confidence from that.” It’s not going to be easy for Jack for sure.” “So, for me, he’s even more dangerous than ever. “I played almost a perfect set in the third set. “Obviously Jack’s one of the best unseeded players, and I think he’s going to trouble him for sure. But he’s going to have to run a lot and he’s going to have to execute.

Net Profit: Rafael Nadal's Winning Formula At Melbourne Park | ATP ... (ATP Tour)

Rafael Nadal's victory at the 2022 Australian Open was underpinned by his willingness to make well-timed net approaches, an Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers ...

Net Points That theory gains legs when you see that Nadal only won 54 per cent (19/35) of points when the point started for him with a first serve return. Nadal came to the net 167 times in seven matches at Melbourne Park last year, with an eye-opening 50 per cent of them (84) occurring when Nadal started the point with a first serve.

What watch is Rafael Nadal wearing at the 2023 Australian Open ... (Sporting News AU)

Rafael Nadal's watches have never lacked class and his latest model being donned at the 2023 Australian Open is truly something special.

We were on the same wavelength.The watch is now like a second skin for me." "Richard came to my house and showed me a model saying, ‘This is the watch that we made for you’. The watch was in platinum so very heavy, I was very confused and didn’t realise that he was joking," Nadal said via the Richard Mille website. Mille personally reached out to Nadal at the start of their relationship and designed a watch specifically for the Spaniard - a gesture that won him over. Nadal has and always will wear Richard Mille watches according to the manufacturer himself. In 2023, Nadal is expected to stick with the watch he has happily worn for over a year now.

Watch bizarre moment Rafael Nadal can't find his favourite racquet ... (Eurosport.com)

Watch the bizarre moment Rafael Nadal can't find his favourite racquet during his Australian Open opening match against Jack Draper.

WATCH: Rafael Nadal 'needs his racket back' after ballboy ... (Tennis365)

Rafael Nadal is known for his idiosyncrasies and rituals before and during tennis matches so when a ballboy accidentally removed his playing racket from ...

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) I’m here to just give myself a chance. “It’s a big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament. The racket didn’t make an appearance in time for the next game as Nadal had to use a different one and he went on to win the opening set 7-5. Channel Nine commentator John Fitzgerald joked “goodness me, that’s a big mistake and he knows.