Rafael Nadal faces a testing start to his campaign at the Australian Open after being drawn against British rising star Jack Draper in the first round.
Nadal, who is seeking to win a record 23rd Grand Slam title, is yet to win a match in 2023 after suffering two losses at the United Cup to Alex de Minaur and Matteo Berrettini. In contrast, Draper has already recorded four wins this season and is through to the semi-finals of this week’s Adelaide International 2 after defeating third seed Karen Khachanov in straight sets. Over the past 12 months, 21-year-old Draper has risen 225 places in the rankings to 40th in the world.
Historically top seed Nadal has never lost in the first round of the Australian Open. Speaking to reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday, the Spaniard said he is happy with his preparations for Melbourne Park despite his winless start to 2023.
“Well, it’s true that the last couple of months I was not able to play much tennis and at the beginning of the season I lost two matches in Sydney, but honestly, I am not unhappy with the preparation,” he said.
“I need to win matches for sure. But the preparation is going quite well, practising a lot and I think I am in good shape.
“Then you need to demonstrate that in the matches, in the official tournaments.
“But I’m confident that if I am able to have this last week of positive practices, why not?”
Later in the draw, the 35-year-old could play 2022 ATP Next Gen champion Brandon Nakashima in round two followed potentially by a clash with 31st seed Yoshihito Nishioka. Then in the last 16, there is a chance he could lock horns with US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe.
Outside of the French Open, Nadal is yet to win the same Grand Slam two years in a row.
Novak Djokovic will begin his quest for a historic 10th Australian Open title against Roberto Carballés Baena who has only ever won four main draw matches in major events in his career. The Serbian has won 34 consecutive matches on Australian soil since 2019 but was absent from the tournament last year after getting deported from the country. Djokovic, who is seeded fourth in the draw and is in the opposite half to Nadal, won his 92nd Tour title in Adelaide last week.
In recent days there have been some questions over the current fitness of the former world No.1 after he pulled out of his training session with Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic has been dealing with a hamstring issue in recent days but has repeatedly played down it’s significance.
“I just felt it pulling and I didn’t want to risk anything worse,” he told 9news Melbourne.
“I played a set and apologised to him [Medvedev] and he was understanding. I just want to avoid any bigger scares before the Australian Open.”
Second seed Casper Ruud will take on Czech world No.115 Tomas Machac in his opening match. The Norwegian is hoping to continue his fine run in results at major tournaments after reaching the final in two out of the three he played in last year. In his section, he could play Jenson Brooksby in the second round and a showdown with Matteo Berrettini in the last 16 possibly awaits.
As for the other top-ranking players in the men’s draw, Stefanos Tsitsipas faces Quentin Halys, Daniil Medvedev faces Marcos Giron and Felix Auger-Aliassime will lock horns with compatriot Vasek Pospisil in their opening matches.
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem will be the first test for Andrey Rublev in what could be a highly intriguing match. Thiem only managed to enter the main draw with the use of a wildcard. Other mouthwatering first round clashes include Andy Murray against 13th seed Berrettini.
The Australian Open main draw will get underway on Monday. This year’s singles champion will win 2000 ranking points and earn AUS$2.975M in prize money.
The full Australian Open draw can be viewed HERE.
