World No.2 Rafael Nadal has kicked-off his Australian summer campaign with a straight sets win over Dominic Thiem at the Day at a Drive exhibition in Adelaide on Friday.
After a slight rusty start the 20-time Grand Slam champion roared his way to a 7-5, 6-4, win over Thiem at the Memorial Drive Tennis Centre. The one-day event serves as a last-minute tune up for the players who have been quarantined in the region ahead of the resumption of the Tour next week in Melbourne.
Playing inside a packed stadium in what is a rare sight during an era dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, fans in Adelaide got their money’s worth. From the onset Nadal and Thiem matched each other game-by-game with little disparity between their level of play. World No.3 Thiem produced an impressive performance behind his serve, as well as his backhand. Meanwhile, Nadal’s fierce defence and fiery forehand was out in full force.
Throughout the opening set both players had a duo of break point chances but Nadal was the only one who managed to convert. With the score level at 5-5, a wild forehand mistake from Thiem rewarded his rival the game and a chance to serve the set out. An opportunity Nadal passed with flying colours after hitting a forehand cross-court winner on set point.
The cat and mouse chase between the reigning Grand Slam champions continued into the second frame with a series of heavy-hitting shot making from both sides of the court. However, the exhibition showdown came to an anti-climatic ending due to a lacklustre Thiem service game. At 4-4, the Austrian hit two double faults followed by a poor volley into the net which granted Nadal two break points. The Spaniard failed to convert his first but prevailed on his second attempt thanks to another Thiem error. That breakthrough was all Nadal required to seal victory as he closed the match out with a forehand volley at the net.
“It has been a very hard year for all of the world in general. In Spain we were hit very hard by the virus and we are still in a tough situation. I think Australia is an amazing positive example of how to make things the right way with the pandemic,” Nadal said after the match.
Thiem, who won his maiden major title in New York last year, echoes Nadal’s praise of Australia as he describes playing in front of fans as ‘special.’
“It’s (2020) been a very tough year for everybody. There was great success for me but I think now it’s time to be really thankful and grateful for everything you guys (the Australian authorities) did for us,” he said.
“I’m playing in front of my first almost full crowd in a year so it’s special for us.”
Friday saw those in Adelaide release from Quarantine and do as they wish. Serena Williams took a trip to the Zoo and Novak Djokovic went for a walk in the city. A complete contrast to last year at the US Open where players were required to stay within a designated bubble at all times.
For Nadal, he admits that it wasn’t ideal preparation for him ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season but hails those involved in making the tournament happen in the first place.
“The last two weeks have been honestly great. Of course it is not ideal to stay 14 days under quarantine but that’s the way we need to do things today. We can’t thank South Australia and Tennis Australia,” he said.
“I hope to have the right preparation for the Australian Open. I won there in 2009 which I think almost everybody forgot about. I will keep playing hard this year. It is a special one. I will keep trying my best.”
As the third oldest player in the top 20 after Stan Wawrinka and Roger Federer, Nadal says he is still loving life as a pro with no intention of stepping away anytime soon.
“I never dreamed to be where I am at 34. If you told me this 10 years ago I would have said ‘forget it’. But here I am. I am super happy and enjoying every single moment that I am able to keep competing,” he concluded.
Both Nadal and Thiem will return to action next week in the ATP Cup. They will play their first matches on the opening day of the tournament which will be February 2nd.
