Rafael Nadal says that there is no question that the balls used at this year’s Australian Open are of a lower quality than the ones used last year.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion didn’t hold back when asked about the Dunlop tennis balls during his pre-tournament press conference. Speaking to the media, Nadal said they lose their pressure after a couple of hits and he finds it harder to generate any spin from them. These balls were also used in Nadal’s matches played at the United Cup earlier this month.
“They say it is the same, but the ball is worse quality, without a doubt. We can’t talk about that any more. It’s what we have. We need to play with it.” The bemused Spaniard commented.
“I think it’s a ball that doesn’t get the same spin as usual. After a couple of hits, the ball loses the pressure. It’s more difficult to hit with the right spin.”
“But I think it’s easier to play when you play flatter on the shots. I need to live with it. I think I practiced enough with the ball to be ready for it.”
The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam to use Dunlop balls. Wilson balls are used at both the French Open and US Open. Meanwhile, Wimbledon has Slazenger.
Nadal is yet to win a Tour match in 2023 after suffering back-to-back defeats to Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie at the United Cup. More recently, he also lost a practice match against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz that took place on Thursday.
The world No.2 recently stated that he was cautiously optimistic about his form heading into the first Grand Slam of the season where he is the defending champion. However, speaking candidly on Saturday Nadal admitted that he will be vulnerable at the start of the tournament where he is the top seed.
“I need to build again all this momentum. I need to build again this confidence with myself with victories. But it’s true that I have been losing more than usual,” he said.
“I didn’t play that bad the first two matches of the year. I lost against two great opponents, but I also had very positive chances to win both matches.’
“I don’t know what can happen on Monday, but my personal feeling, without a doubt, is better now than three weeks ago, in general terms.”
Nadal’s first round opponent at Melbourne Park will be British rising star Jack Draper who reached the semi-finals of the Adelaide International before losing to eventual champion Soonwoo Kwon. The 21-year-old has risen more than 200 places in the ATP rankings over the past 12 months to 40th in the world and has recorded two wins over top 10 players. Draper has beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
“(It’s) probably one of the toughest first round (matches) possible, being seeded. He’s young, powerful, growing very, very fast on the ranking, playing well,” Nadal commented.
“A big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament. I know he’s playing well. He has a lot of positive things, and probably a great career in front.” He added.
Despite being the most decorated male singles player in Grand Slam history, outside of the French Open Nadal is yet to win the same major event two years in a row. He will begin his Australian Open campaign against Draper on Monday.
