Australian Open 2023: Rafael Nadal on Australian Open success and the birth of his son
Rafael Nadal admits his form hasn’t been up to standard, but sees no reason why he can’t contend for a third Australian Open title. Plus the impact of Rafa Jr’s birth on the champion.
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Reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal concedes his form hasn’t been up to scratch heading into the tournament but sees no reason he can’t go back to back with his baby son in tow.
Nadal sensationally claimed an “unexpected” second Australian Open gong in 2022 – his first since 2009 – and backed it up with yet another French Open title before succumbing to injuries and a run of uncharacteristic form through the back-end of the season.
A United Cup loss to Alex de Minaur in Sydney amplified doubt over the 36-year-old’s longevity, but having settled in Melbourne for a shot at a record-extending 23 grand slam titles Nadal insisted his preparation was on point.
“It’s true that the last couple of tournaments I wasn’t able to play my standards and here at the beginning of the season I lost two matches in Sydney, but honestly, I am not unhappy with the preparation,” Nadal said at Federation Square on Tuesday.
“I think I’m in good shape. You need to demonstrate that in matches … but I’m confident that if I am able to have this last week of positive practice, why not?”
It remains to be seen whether the birth of his son, Rafael Jr, can also breathe new life into his tennis. Nadal acknowledged being a father had taken some adjusting to, but credited wife Maria for allowing him to keep in pursuit of more grand slam crowns.
“You need a little bit more organisation than before, without a doubt,” he said.
“I need some time to adjust all the things that are going to help me stay the same as before, but I think I have all the things around me to keep going without problems. We’re excited for this new part (of life) that is also a very beautiful thing.”
Nadal reflected on last year’s triumph as “very emotional”, labelling his comeback five-set win over Daniil Medvedev as “one of the most important” of his 22-year professional career.
“It was one of the more unexpected ones,” he said.
COVID PROTOCOLS SHAKE-UP: WHAT IT MEANS FOR POSITIVE AO PLAYERS
- Lauren Wood
Players won’t be forced to reveal if they test positive to Covid at the Australian Open.
Tournament director and Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley said on Monday that a trust system would be in place at the year’s opening grand slam — which kicks off at Melbourne Park next Monday — for players and officials when it comes to the virus.
Tiley said “it’s up to them” whether positive tests are recorded during the tournament, with protocols such as regular testing and mask wearing that were in place at last year’s event no longer enforced.
“It’s up to them. It’s entirely up to them (whether they tell us they’re positive or not),” he said.
“We’re encouraging players as well as encouraging staff that if you’re feeling unwell, to stay at home.
“It’s not just Covid — it’s other illnesses as well. We want to protect not only our patrons but also the players.”
Tiley said the shift was to be “similar to what’s in the community”.
“We have gone a step further by making a recommendation around staying away when you are ill.
“(Tournament medical chief) Dr Carolyn Broderick is the best in the business and she will continue to monitor that with the players individually as well.”
Italian player Camila Giorgi is facing fresh allegations that she used a false Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the 2022 season, raising questions as to whether she used a fake document to enter Australia for last year’s Australian Open.
“I come from the view that everyone is doing the right thing. That’s going to be entirely up to the authorities to manage,” Tiley said regarding Giorgi.
The Australian Open engaged a specialist immigration resource in a bid to help facilitate a significantly higher number of visa applications for this year’s tournament.
“From an immigration point of view, that’s entirely up to the federal government who gets in,” Tiley said.
“(Third-party company) Absolute Immigration were brought on as a resourcing requirement. We are processing seven times more than the amount that we had during Covid.
“They’ve been a great help. The challenge for us this year has been access to travel, availability of flights and the cost of travel. These are the things into the future that are going to be challenging for us.“
Australian star Alex de Minaur said players were anticipating a more normal season.
“As players and as people, as human beings, we have gone through a very tough time and situation over a couple of years,” he said.
“We’re all just excited to be back competing, moving around freely and enjoying life as it used to be. We’re just happy to be back where it was pre-Covid which is exciting.”
Novak Djokovic heads early stampede of stars on Melbourne Park
- Peter Rolfe
Novak Djokovic will this week step back onto court at Melbourne Park for the first time since being sensationally deported and banned from Australia.
With just eight days until the Australian Open starts in Melbourne, NewsCorp can reveal Grand Slam organisers intend to schedule Djokovic’s first match before crowds earlier than expected.
The former world No. 1 and nine-time Australian Open champion is expected to take on last year’s runner up Daniil Medvedev on Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday afternoon.
It would be the headline act of the Open’s new “Perfect Practice’’ sessions as organisers try to extend the reach of the Grand Slam from two weeks to three.
Defending champion Rafael Nadal is also set to play the practice sessions as he strives to extend his record tally of 22 Grand Slam titles and Djokovic fights to equal that mark.
Other big names set to do battle in match-like showdowns on centre court include Venus Williams, US Open winner Emma Raducanu, World No. 2 Ons Jabeur, Coco Gauff, Maria Sakkari and Alexander Zverev.
And glam girl fan favourite Eugenie Bouchard and Spanish former World No. 7 Fernando Verdasco will be at qualifying sessions in the lead-up to the main event.
But it will be Djokovic’s long-awaited return which will draw most interest, a year after his Visa was revoked by the former federal government and banned for three years until the decision was overturned in October.
And it is likely to be a rowdy atmosphere if the match against Medvedev is locked in, given the Russian accused Melbourne fans of having a ‘low IQ’ after defeating Aussie Nick Kyrgios at last year’s Open.
After being forced to play the past two Opens before reduced crowds of just 50 per cent, organisers hope to draw a record 900,000 fans to this year’s two week major event.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said he had spoken to Djokovic and his team about returning to Melbourne, where he was held by airport customs officials and placed into temporary immigration detention.
“He wants to come back and win,’’ he said.
“He wants to beat Rafa’s record and Rafa doesn’t want him to beat his record on the men’s side, so I think it’s going to be very interesting.’’
“He is just focused on preparing.’’
Djokovic faced Medvedev the Adelaide International tournament on Saturday night in of the most anticipated showdowns of the Australian summer of tennis so far.
He praised his Russian opponent ahead of the match, saying “He’s definitely one of the best players in the world for the past five years … he’s someone I respect a lot.”
But when asked how he felt about returning to Australia after being detained and deported over his Covid-19 status, he said: “You don’t forget those events’’
He said he was determined “to move on” in pursuit of a record 10th Melbourne Park crown.
The “Perfect Practice” sessions will give fans the chance to see some of the world’s best players compete before smaller crowds, for a $10 entry cost.
It is one of a number of changes at this year’s event, running January 16-29, including a second week “Finals Festival” music series and January 11 “Tennis Plays for Peace” fundraiser for Ukraine.
mailto:peter.rolfe@news.com.au
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Originally published as Australian Open 2023: Rafael Nadal on Australian Open success and the birth of his son
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