Tough draw is another headache for Nadal

Eleanor Crooks 10:24 12/01/2014
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  • Unhappy Rafa: Nadal is concerned with the pace of the courts

    Rafael Nadal knows he has his work cut out on his return to the Australian Open. The 27-year-old missed the tournament last year as he continued his recovery from knee problems but arrived Down Under as world No1 thanks to a phenomenal comeback season.

    Nadal won 10 tournaments last year, including the French and US Opens, and began his 2014 season by lifting the trophy in Doha. But good news was in short supply for the Spaniard when the draw was made at Melbourne Park on Friday.

    Firstly, he was paired with Bernard Tomic in the first round, and should he make it past the mercurial Australian, dangerous names like Gael Monfils, Lleyton Hewitt and Juan Martin del Potro await in his quarter.

    Tomic, 21, is ranked only 52nd but is one of the most talented young players in the men’s game and loves a big occasion, especially on home soil.

    He has made at least the third round in Melbourne for the last three years and will only arrive at Melbourne Park on Sunday after playing in the final of the Apia International in Sydney, which he lost to del Potro.

    “Good start,” said Nadal with a smile. “It’s not the best round I know to start a Grand Slam, playing against a player who is local and who is young, who played great in the past here and is playing well.

    “It’s a tough start. But I just need to be ready and practice with great tactics every day, try to do the right things in every moment to arrive in the first round with the competitive juices flowing. That’s the only way.”

    Nadal met Tomic at the Australian Open two years ago, prevailing in three sets but having been a break down in two of them. As well as the draw, Nadal has also found the courts not to his liking and expressed his unhappiness at the difference he feels from two years ago, when he lost an epic final to Novak Djokovic.

    He said: “It’s completely different conditions than what I remembered of this tournament. It’s faster conditions that I ever played in Australia.

    “I really don’t understand very well why they change because the last couple of years, the Australian Open had amazing matches, long ones, good ones for the crowd. I don’t know why the people decided to make the conditions that fast.”

    Federer agreed the courts are quicker but given his aggressive game, is more than happy with it. He said: “I think it’s nice. It’s a little bit faster than last year, but not a whole lot. You can still play from the baseline, no problem.”

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