“Worse than last year,” Rafael Nadal denounces the Australian Open balls ahead of title defense
With the 2023 Australian Open about to commence shortly, Rafael Nadal criticized the balls getting used at the Grand Slam event.
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal is gearing up for his second title defense in Melbourne Park. The Spaniard will be the top seed and the defending champion at the 2023 Australian Open. He is chasing his third title at the Major and a record-extending 23rd singles Grand Slam title.
He is not in the best of form, however. Starting the season at the 2023 United Cup, he lost both of his singles ties. He reaches the Major with a 0-2 record, unlike last year when he reached it after winning the title in Adelaide. He would go on to win 20 consecutive matches before losing his first, his best-ever start to a season.
During his pre-tournament press conference, Nadal gave a brutal assessment of the Australian Open’s balls. Last season, Iga Swiatek had criticized the US Open’s balls and this time it’s Nadal who has expressed his disappointment.
“The Australian Open balls are worse than last year. I think it’s a ball that doesn’t get the same spin as usual. After a couple of hits, the ball loses pressure. It’s more difficult to hit with the right spin,” said Nadal during the Media Day ahead of his first-round fixture.
Related: Boris Becker ‘ready to bet’ on Rafael Nadal at Australian Open
Tricky test for Rafael Nadal in the opening round of the 2023 Australian Open
Nothing has gone Rafael Nadal‘s way so far this season. Following his twin losses, he has been handed a tough opponent in the draw. He takes on World No. 40 Jack Draper who has made a steady rise lately. The Briton announced himself to the world at the 2021 Wimbledon. Up against the two-time defending champion Novak Djokovic, Draper surprised everyone by winning the first set on the hallowed Center Court.
Djokovic however went on to win the match and eventually the title. He hasn’t lost a match at the Championships since the 2017 edition so there had nothing much that the young gun could do. Back to the 2023 Australian Open, Draper reaches the Major with a semi-final run in Adelaide 2.
Although beating Nadal in a best-of-five isn’t an easy task, Draper might surprise given the Spaniard isn’t fully into his rhythm. Nevertheless, it promises to be an exciting evening session on the opening day as Grand Slam action returns.
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