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Jack Draper’s hopes of causing an early shock at the Australian Open were dashed after the young Brit hobbled with cramp during his 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1 defeat to defending champion Rafael Nadal.
Losing six of his seven matches heading into his first Grand Slam this year is the worst of his career and 45 unforced errors suggests this is far from vintage Nadal.
The left-handed Draper played some brilliant tennis to take the match for the whole set, but the 21-year-old suffered a foot problem and was left in pain as Nadal closed out the match on Rod Laver Arena.
“Going to this trip in Australia, I was very undercooked, to be honest,” said Draper.
“After last year I was excited about doing a good pre-season. I had two viral infections so I had to be on antibiotics twice. I missed five of those seven weeks.
“I should be proud of the way I competed in Adelaide (he reached the semi-finals of the ATP event last week) and the effort he put in there. I think I was surprised by where I was.
“Obviously this physical thing will take time. It will take patience. But I am fully aware and I am willing to do everything I can to put myself in a great place moving forward.”
Nadal will next face Mackenzie McDonald for a place in the third round
Speaking on court afterwards, Nadal said: “If we put into perspective all the situations I have been through the last six months, it has been a very positive start. I played against one of the most difficult opponents possible in the first round. He is still young. he has strength and I think he has a great future ahead of (him).”
Nadal lost the first game of the final set when Draper was penalized for a dubious drop-shot attempt with the champion but the Spaniard won the next six games in succession to claim the match as the Briton was ill bowed out swinging.
Draper, who has modeled his game around Nadal’s heroics, settled into the contest, facing just one break point before a poorly executed drop shot allowed Nadal to claim the opening set.
The top seed pumped his fist in celebration, a sign that it was a big moment for him when he tried to play himself back to form, but then ended up boiling at the beginning of the second set.
Errors flowed from Nadal’s racket and Draper, who might have taken the set 6-0, didn’t need to do anything spectacular to level the contest amid several brief rain delays.
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Nadal left frustrated by the ball boys at the Australian Open after complaining they did not hand over the towel, and then took the wrong racket to re-strung!
Nadal admitted before the tournament that his lack of wins had left him more vulnerable than usual, but he spoke confidently about his form in practice and was confident it would translate onto the match court.
The defending champion had an animated exchange with his team sitting on the sidelines before the third set and there was a greater determination about the game.
He was helped by Draper since the physical flag, serves and shots noticeably less pop.
A double fault from the Englishman put Nadal up to a 3-1 break but the defending champion still produced an uncharacteristic number of unforced errors and he regained his advantage at 4-2.
Draper couldn’t handle the pressure, but saved one set point with an ace in the 10th game, but pushed a backhand just wide in the second game.
He took a long break to change his shirt and gave hope of a comeback with a break of Nadal’s serve in the opening game of the fourth set, but the Spaniard eventually played better and he stormed back.
During a long point in the fourth game, Draper began to cramp again, and he ended up hamstrung during the formalities of the last few games.
Draper, who recently hired a fitness coach in Croatia Dejan Vojnovic, said: “I felt at the beginning of the third that my tennis was right. I almost felt like I controlled the match at that point.
“The first set is always difficult. I’ve never been on the court with Rafa before. The second set, I calmed down a bit and started playing well. If I’ll do it that way, who knows?
“I just need to investigate why I’m cramping, but also know that I’m only really starting with the fitness trainer I’ve invested in.
“Obviously playing a player like Rafa in Rod Laver, who I will remember for a long time. A real honor to play against him, someone I love.
“To walk with him on a big court like that is special. I think I can take away the fact that my tennis is getting closer and closer.”
Nadal, bidding for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title, will face off next Mackenzie McDonald for a place in the third round after the American defeated his compatriot Brandon Nakashima in five sets.
Cameron Norrie entered the second round after the 11th seed beat French wildcard Luca Van Assche.
Cameron Norrie survived a close first-set battle against teenager Luca Van Assche before pulling away to ease into the second round of the Australian Open.
In England No 1, seeded 11, has become a master to win this early Grand-Slam match and proved once again, playing 10 straight games helped him to 7-6 (7-3) 6-0 6- 3 victory against the player ranked 143 .
Norrie only arrived in Melbourne last night after losing to Richard Gasquet in the final of the ASB Classic in his hometown of Auckland.
That gave him just one day to prepare for this match, but he has the confidence of six victories to start the season, including Rafael Nadal, as well as his exploits in the last two campaigns.
A good run here could see Norrie move back into the top 10 and he is in his usual relentless mood as he wears down 18-year-old Van Assche.
The Frenchman, who won the junior title at Roland Garros in 2021, is considered a big talent for the future and twice recovered from a break in the opening set.
Norrie was a bit careless from the forehand, but tightened up in the tie and from there continued to pressure Van Assche, who will learn a lot from the encounter but not enough for the task here.
Norrie, who next faces another French player in Constant Lestienne, said: “It took me a while to find my range with the ball, but for me it was a tough day.
“I served for the first set twice and didn’t play my best game, but I played a good tie-break, then I won nine games in a row and it looked good to continue and finally win straight away. I’ll take that after a quick turnaround.”
American Frances Tiafoe tested in the first round by Daniel Altmaier but eventually won 6-3 6-3 6-7 (7-5) 7-6 (7-6) in a grueling match.
Shang Juncheng17, became the first male player from China to win a singles match in the main draw of a tournament in the Open Era when he stunned German Otte 6-2 6-4 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 in his Grand. Slam debut.
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