Earlier today, Rafael Nadal took part in a FAST 4 Tennis exhibition.
Since Kei Nishikori was forced to pull out due to a hip injury, Dominic Thiem replaced him and played with Rafa for the ‘World’ team against Team Australia – Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic.
First on the court in Sydney’s new International Convention Centre were Rafa and Nick. After splitting the first four sets, they faced off in a tiebreak to decide the match. The young Aussie won it (4-3 2-4 4-3 4-3).
Bernard also won the fifth set in his match against Dominic and secured Australia a 2-0 victory in the Australia v World Fast4 contest.
After the match, Rafa said:
It was a good match. I enjoyed it. Very happy to be back here in Sydney again. FAST4 is good promotion for our sport here in a very important country – country with a big tradition in the sport of tennis. Very excited to see the full crowd like this in an amazing theatre.
Rafa is expected to head straight to Melbourne for the year’s opening Grand Slam.
Source: Tennis Australia
“Yes I was there and I do believe that it was Rafa being there that drew the crowd.
He is sooooooooooo suave and professional,
and it shows even if Nick Kyrios is a big server, they just don’t have what Rafa has I don’t think,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
What really is interesting is what will happen the next two weeks. Then we will see who will pass round by round
I watched the highlights from this match, and Krygios won mostly on his serve. I do not care for the FAST4 format, but it is okay for an exposition.
FAST4 definitely favors big servers.
Nice photos.