Rafael Nadal names Nick Kyrgios as title favorite at the 2023 Australian Open
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Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios
Rafael Nadal is back in Australia to defend his crown at Melbourne Park. Nadal broke through the 3-way tie of the Big 3 by becoming the first to win 21 Grand Slam titles. He achieved the feat by defeating Daniil Medvedev in a historic final at the 2022 Australian Open. The win was Nadal’s second title Down Under and it came after a long wait of 13 years.
The Spaniard returns to the country once again with more history on line. A successful title defense will see him match Serena Williams‘ tally of 23 Grand Slam titles in the Open Era. He will also restore his 2-major lead against Novak Djokovic who currently trails him with 21 majors of his own. The Serb is however a 9-time winner in Melbourne Park and won’t make it easy for Nadal in his title defense.
Nadal will however start his season at the 2023 United Cup. As the teams lined up for their press conferences, Rafa was asked whether he believes Nick Kyrgios could go all the way in Australia this year. Kyrgios won the Men’s Doubles last year and put in some great performances throughout last season.
“I know he doesn’t like a lot to play Roland Garros. That’s the only tournament that looks like he doesn’t like to play that much. The rest of the tournaments, he played final in Wimbledon, and in New York he was close to the finals I think, with a very positive chance. He can win in any tournament that he’s playing. He has all the talent, and the weapons to win against any player. Of course, he can,” said Nadal.
Also Read: Iga Swiatek looking forward to meeting ‘Inspiration’ Ash Barty in Australia
Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios won’t clash in the United Cup
With Spain and Australia drawn into the same group, fans were hoping to see Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios lock horns. The two had played a thrilling encounter in the 2022 Indian Wells which went the Spaniard’s way. They were pitted against each other in the semi-finals of this year’s Wimbledon.
But with Nadal rupturing his abdomen, he withdrew on the eve of the match. This time around, it is Kyrgios’ injury that denies fans the chance to see the two clash. Kyrgios withdrew minutes prior to Australia’s press conference citing a niggle. Not wanting to risk his chances in the coming month, he opted out of the United Cup.
While Kyrgios goes out of the event, Nadal is still there. He starts his season with a match against Cameron Norrie in a battle between the two left-handers. The two had met in the finals of the 2022 Acapulco Open with Nadal winning the title. Norrie will look to avenge the final loss and also give his nation the best start to the competition.
Also Read: Ivan Lendl credits Carlos Alcaraz’s success to Juan Carlos Ferrero’s coaching techniques
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Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)