Cameron Norrie has complete faith in Jack Draper to upset Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open

The World No.12 had some words of advice for the first time Grand Slam participant as he prepares to go up against a legend of the game


Cameron Norrie has complete faith in Jack Draper to upset Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal, Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper

Britisher Cameron Norrie believes countryman Jack Draper has what it takes to defeat 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal but has warned him he would have to go all out to do so. He called Draper, who is British No.3, one of the best unseeded players at the Open, and expects the first-round clash between him and Nadal to be fast-paced.

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Norrie said, “Obviously Jack’s one of the best unseeded players, and I think he’s going to trouble him for sure. I think it’s going to be a good match. I’m looking forward to watching it. But he’s going to have to run a lot and he’s going to have to execute. But, definitely, he has a chance.” Draper will be playing his first Grand Slam tournament and will heed the advice of his friend, who recently defeated Nadal at the United Cup.

Norrie said of his experience against Nadal,”I had to play unreal to beat him. I played almost a perfect set in the third set. My whole game kind of came together that day and it was just enough to beat him. It’s not going to be easy for Jack for sure.” Norrie beat Nadal 3-6,6-3,6-4 to secure his first win over the Spanish legend in five meetings.

The match against Cameron Norrie raised doubts about Nadal’s readiness for the Australian Open. The Spaniard has only played six tournaments since the Wimbledon due to injury. He has also seemed sluggish when on the court in 2023 so far. Nadal will be keen to prove his naysayers wrong as he enters the Australian Open as defending champion and the first seed.

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Related: Patrick Mouratoglou casts doubt on Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open chances

Rafael Nadal’s tricky Australian Open 2023 draw

Rafael Nadal with the 2022 Australian Open title
Rafael Nadal with the 2022 Australian Open title

Nadal has been handed a tricky draw for the Australian Open. The 21-time Grand Slam champion will face Jack Draper in the first round. Facing the inform British player is anticipated to be a challenging match for him. If he progresses to the second week of the Open, he will likely face Frances Tiafoe, who knocked him out of the US Open.

Daniil Medvedev is projected to be Nadal’s quarterfinal opponent if he reaches that stage. The Russian will be out for revenge in the repeat of the 2022 Australian Open final. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the last person to beat Nadal in Melbourne, could await in the semifinals.

Getting through all these rounds would land Nadal a place in the finals. There he could meet his rival Novak Djokovic as the two chase history. This would be their 19th Grand Slam final and the first since the 2020 French Open. Nadal will be looking to bounce back from the loss to Cameron Norrie and chart his course to win the first Grand Slam of the year.

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