Rafa Nadal faces tough test in Australian Open defense

Rafael Nadal opens his Australian Open title defense on Monday feeling vulnerable and against a dangerous young opponent, with women’s top seed Iga Swiatek also facing a tough match as she targets her maiden crown.

The first Grand Slam of the year kicks off at Melbourne Park with the world number one and a new women’s champion set to be crowned following the shock retirement of Ashleigh Barty following last year’s win.

Spanish great Nadal, 36, has lost six of his past seven matches, including his opening two this year, ahead of a tough afternoon clash at Rod Laver Arena against Britain’s in-form Jack Draper.

“It was probably one of the hardest first rounds (of the game), being the seed,” said the 22-time Grand Slam champion and top seed. “Young, strong, growing a lot, very fast in the rankings, playing well.”

The speedy Draper, 21, made the semi-finals of the Adelaide International this week and said he would not be surprised, despite Nadal being his idol.

“I want to go and compete hard and play well and I want to win the match, of course. So that’s the plan,” he said.

Nadal won last year’s title with a thrilling five-set win over Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who faced American Marcos Giron on center court in the afternoon match.

The race to the Australian crown for the first time since 2009 in the absence of nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, who returns this year and is the favorite after missing the 2022 event when he was deported because of the position of the Covid vaccination.

The 35-year-old Serbian starts on Tuesday against Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, not only bidding for his 10th title and equaling Nadal’s 22 Slams, but for reclaiming the top ranking in the world.

“I like my chance,” said Djokovic, who is still in good form, winning in Adelaide last week after ending 2022 with another ATP Finals victory.

He can return to the top by lifting the trophy. So did Norway’s Casper Ruud and Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas, according to governing body ATP.

World number three Ruud can also become world number one by reaching the final, as long as neither Djokovic nor Tsitsipas can win the title.

In the absence of such a scenario, the reign of Carlos Alcaraz, who did not play in Melbourne due to injury, will continue.

Tsitsipas opens his campaign against France’s Quentin Halys at the Margaret Court Arena, with Ruud in action on Tuesday.

‘Intens’ opening for Swiatek

Top seed Swiatek is the clear favorite who has dominated women’s tennis since Barty’s retirement in March last year.

The Pole won eight WTA titles in 2022 and became the first woman in six years to win two Grand Slams in the same season – at Roland Garros and New York.

With the big retirement of Serena Williams and two-time Melbourne champion Naomi Osaka also gone, there will almost certainly be a new name on the Daphne Akhurst trophy.

The only title holders in the draw are Sofia Kenin, who won in 2020, and Victoria Azarenka, who won the Australian Open twice a decade ago.

Swiatek starts on Monday against Jule Neimeier, the German world number 68 who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year.

Most recently, the pair clashed in the last 16 at the US Open, where Swiatek had to dig deep after dropping the first set before winning the tournament.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Neimeier said.

“But every match at the Grand Slam is definitely more intense and more stressful than other tournaments. I will be ready.”

American number three in the world Jessica Pegula will also improve her chances.

The 28-year-old played a key role for the US team that won the United Cup to continue their hot form since the end of the 2022 season, including lifting their second singles trophy at the WTA 1000 in Guadalajara.

He played in Romania Jacqueline Cristian first up.

Sixth seed Maria Sakkari and seventh seed Coco Gauff are also in action on Monday, as is Azarenka – against Kenin.

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