Defending Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal will start his 18th round at Melbourne Park against Jack Draper on Monday. The 22-time Major winner arrived in Melbourne early after back-to-back United Cup defeats, working on his game and hoping for a better run.
Rafa has been training with various rivals at Rod Laver Arena, tweaking his shots and finding time to sign autographs. Nadal signed a fan’s Roger Federer hat and missed his good friend in Melbourne after last facing him in official matches at last year’s Laver Cup.
Rafa won it all against the odds in Melbourne 12 months ago, missing the second part of the 2021 season and facing the exit door in the final. Nonetheless, he defeated Daniil Medvedev 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in five hours and 24 minutes, becoming the first player to have 21 Major crowns.
Nadal added another Major trophy to his collection in Paris before suffering an injury at Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal is preparing for the first major of the season in Melbourne
Rafa lost four straight matches for the first time since 2009 and ended the season without form.
The Spaniard is yet to win a match after two United Cup defeats in 2023. Rafa got off to a good start against Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur before falling in three sets after spending over two hours and 40 minutes on the court each.
Nadal lost to Norrie for the first time, winning the first set but losing 3-6 6-3 6-4. The Brit made a fresh start in the second set, delivering two breaks from 11 chances to control the scoreboard and secure the best win of his career.
Sydney native Alex de Minaur had massive support against Nadal in front of the home fans. The Australian rallied in the second set and delivered a late break in the decider to celebrate a 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 triumph.
They traded breaks midway through the opening set and Nadal stepped in to win four straight games and take it 6-3. Rafa took an early lead in the second set but couldn’t hold it. Alex stepped in and delivered six straight games to take the set 6-1 and grab a massive boost ahead of the decider.
Rafa got off to a better start, serving well and creating break chances in the second game. De Minaur denied four break chances and avoided an early setback in one of the crucial moments. Alex grabbed a break in game five before Rafa cracked a forehand crosscourt winner in the next to return to the positive side.
The Spaniard held at love in the ninth game and let his opponent serve to stay in the match. Alex leveled the match 5-5 and broke his opponent’s serve in the next to open a 6-5 gap.
De Minaur served for the match in Game 12, firing a service winner to keep his game and a career-best win in his hometown.
