ARTICLES:
- Nadal Sets Kokkinakis Clash (via ATP)
… World No. 1 Rafael Nadal’s eagerly anticipated first-round clash with Bernard Tomic ended in anti-climax as the Australian was forced to retire with a left leg injury after losing the first set 6-4 in the Rod Laver Arena night match.
- Tomic limps to early exit against Nadal (via Australian Open)
… Nadal’s next opponent will be another Australian, 17-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis, who in some ways is not so dissimilar a character from Tomic. “I practiced with him in the past,” Nadal revealed. “He has a great future and will be a very tough match for me if I am not able to play my best.”
- Nadal, Federer, Murray through in ‘inhumane’ heat (via Yahoo)
- Racquet Reaction on Rafael Nadal’s one-set win over Bernard Tomic (via tennis.com)
… The most interesting aspect of these 10 games was Nadal’s serve. He hit it crisply and smacked five aces, but he also used more slice than he normally does. It was effective, and pushed Tomic wider than he expected to go on his backhand side—Bernie won just six of 26 return points. We’ll see if Rafa keeps it up in the next round, when he faces an even younger Aussie, 17-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis.
- Alfombra roja para Nadal (via El Pais)
… “Estoy seguro de que yo les eché más de menos a ustedes en 2013 que ustedes a mi”, añade, para luego explicar por qué se toca constantemente la mano izqueirda.
- Tomic’s groin injury ends Australian Open clash with Nadal (via acelandtennis.com.au)
… “It’s tough playing Rafa with two legs, let alone one. There’s nothing I could do,” he said.
- ICYMI: Interview with Rafael Nadal: Australian Open R1 – Nadal vs. Tomic (full transcript)
- Reflections: Australian Open Day 2 (via The Slice)
VIDEOS:
- After the match against Bernard Tomic, Jim Courier had a “personal” question about Rafael Nadal’s girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello. Watch: Rafa talks about his girlfriend Xisca
- Kia Open Drive: Rafael Nadal – 2014 Australian Open
- Highlights: Nadal v Tomic (via Eurosport)
- Nadal: I had to play my game (via Eurosport)
- Nadal Wins After Tomic Retires Due To Injury (via ESPN)
- Thanasi Kokkinakis asks his 1st question to Rafa Nadal (via Babolat Australia Facebook)
- Night 2 highlights – 2014 Australian Open
PHOTOS:
- AO 2014: Rafael Nadal reaches R2 at Australian Open
- Australian Open 2014: Tuesday Delight (via Tennis View Magazine)
- Pics from Rafa’s Day 2 Practice Session at the 2014 Aus Open (via @GrandSlamGal)
- Australian Open 2014: Pics of Rafa’s First Round Match (via @GrandSlamGal)
good match Rafa.