Rafael Nadal takes no risk ahead of Australian Open

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu joined Rafael Nadal and others on the sidelines ahead of the Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal looks as countryman Pablo Carreno Busta defeats John Millman in the ATP Cup Picture: Getty Images

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal heads a list of Australian Open contenders taking no risks with their preparation for next week’s event after spending two weeks in quarantine.

The 20-time major champion was due to play Australian Alex de Minaur in an ATP Cup tie on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night but withdrew at 5pm citing a stiff lower back.

Nadal is the biggest name among those this week who have either retired from events midway through matches or pulled out altogether.

The draws for the six events at Melbourne Park have fluctuated with regularity as alternates replaced withdrawers.

Nadal, at least, has another opportunity to hone his game ahead of next week’s major when Spain play Greece on Thursday night in a round-robin tie of the ATP Cup.

The 13-time Roland Garros champion, who defeated Dominic Thiem in an exhibition in Adelaide last Friday, is scheduled to play world No 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas in that rubber.

But Nadal issued a caveat, stating that “hopefully I’ll be better for Thursday”.

The absence of Nadal did not stop the powerful Spanish team from scoring a convincing win over Australia.

Dual US Open semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta gave the visitors the early lead in the tie played on Rod Laver Arena with a 6-2 6-4 win over John Millman.

Spain clinched it when Wimbledon semi-finalist Roberto Bautista Agut claimed his first win from three outings against Alex de Minaur 4-6 6-4 6-4.

The other major name to withdraw from a tournament on Tuesday was Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who is a $17 chance to win the Australian Open.

The only reason Andreescu is not at the head of the market is because she has not played a match since the WTA Tour Finals event claimed by Ash Barty in China in 2019.

The former US Open champion was among the players forced to endure hard lockdown after her coach Sylvain Bruneau tested positive for COVID-19 on a flight to Melbourne.

The 20-year-old was due to play the WTA event beginning on Wednesday, which is restricted to women who served the strict lockdown, but felt it was better to take no risks.

“Following the last two weeks in quarantine, it feels so good to finally be back on the court,” Andreescu said.

“After discussing it with my team, we have decided to focus this week on training for the Australian Open and miss the Grampians (event).”

Bernard Tomic withdrew from Murray River Open on Monday, opening the door for Harry Bourchier to make his ATP Tour debut.

The Tasmanian did so in style defeating fellow Australian Marc Polmans.

Western Australian veteran Matt Ebden and Queenslander Thomas Fancutt received late entries into the Great Ocean Road Open on Tuesday when Vasek Pospisil and Damir Dzumhur withdrew.

Ebden, a Davis Cup representative on the comeback trail, was told at noon he was playing and revelled in the opportunity defeating Federico Delbonis 6-3 7-6 (8).

“Obviously I knew I was the next person in, so I knew there was a chance, so I warmed up this morning and yesterday, in fact, I warmed up before 10am just to be ready for a match call-up and it came, obviously,” he said.

In the Great Ocean Road Open, three alternates were required, while Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz progressed when his opponent Attila Balaza retired at 2-all.

Reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin claimed her first win since returning to Melbourne when Italian Camila Giorgi withdrew after dropping the first set 7-5.

The cautious approach of players is scarcely a surprise given concerns about the impact quarantine – be it a strict lockdown or one with a training window – on their fitness.

A number of cricketers suffered soft tissue injuries ahead of the Test series between Australia and India in the days after they were released from quarantine in late 2020.

While there are six events running at Melbourne Park from Wednesday, including the lucrative ATP Cup, the primary goal for all players is the Australian Open.

Those competing in the first round in singles will make at least $100,000. The champions this year receive $2.75 million, which is a 33 per cent drop on last year.

The decision was made to spread prize money more evenly among competitors to alleviate the financial hardship of those players ranked outside the upper echelon.

Ebden was joined in the second round in ATP Tour events by countryman Thompson, Alexei Popyrin, Dane Sweeny and James Duckworth on Tuesday.