Rafael Nadal will make his return from injury in the Tie Break Tens event in Melbourne on Jan. 10.
Rafa previously withdrew from the Mubudala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, Brisbane International and Fast4 event in Sydney while recovering from a knee injury.
Organizers said Rafa will join Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka among a field of eight players in the Melbourne knockout tournament which has a winner-take-all purse of $250,000.
In Tie Break 10s, the winner is the first player to reach 10 points with a two-point margin in a super tiebreaker.
Rafa said “Tie Break Tens is a great concept and we will see and play some exciting matches. The field is fantastic and I expect some tough competition which will be great for the Aussie fans.”
Source: AP
GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
The sight of Rafa practicing on the newly relaid court at Rod Laver Arena was a relief to organizers. He is the first of the elites to do so. He breezed through a light practice showing no signs of knee soreness. [Herald Sun]
I can only imagine how emotional this Australian Open may be for Rafa, his first without Toni.
RAFA ROCKS
Tennis Australia has announced the entire list of the Tie Break Tens players who will compete on the night of Jan. 10, Margaret Court Arena, winner take all, $250,000.
D. Thiem
L. Pouille
T. Berdych
R. Nadal
N. Djokovic
S. Wawrinka
N. Kyrgios
L. Hewitt
RAFA ROCKS
Nole has purportedly stated on his website that only after the Tie Break Tens and Kooyong Classic events will he be able to make a decision regarding his fitness for the Australian Open. [DailyMail]
RAFA ROCKS
No surprise to learn that Andy Murray has withdrawn from the AO.
❤️🍀🤗
Godt nytår. Velkommen tilbage.
RAFA ROCKE
Aww, thank you Margo 🤗🌷
And a happy New Year to you too 🥂😘
– You nailed that danish 😃👍🏻
RAFA TOTALLY ROCKS! 🎾💪🏼😍
LOL….tak.
RAFA VÆRE FORMIDABEL ….qu’est-ce que vs en pensez?
Si… totally agree with you Margo 😊👍🏻 (I don’t speak or write much french, but long live “Google Translate” – LOL 😄)
RAFA ER FORMIDABEL! ❤️
Thanks for the great compliment because I do my own translations. And RAFA IS BACK.
RAFA ROCKS
Very impressive 👍🏻 How many languages do you speak/write without dictionary help?
YES, RAFA IS BACK! VAMOOS!
🎾💪🏼🥇💖🍀😃👏🏻
Can’t wait to see him play again 😍
Nole and Roger are impressive in the number of languages they speak [5 and 4 respectively]; me only 3 but I use a dictionary for all 3. The best way to get it right, for me anyway.
I hope Rafa surprises everyone in 2018. In a good way.
RAFA ROCKS
Nishikori is out of Australian open. I m not criticising him but his fitness is a joke😔
Could you be lacking in empathy? Not many players make it to the top ten, much less the top five. Japan has much to be proud of in their Kei who had been plagued with injuries. I am wishing him a good recovery.
RAFA ROCKS
I was so happy to see that Rafa had departed to Aus 🙂 Statement of intent put into action 💪. Hope he has a good journey, I’ve done similar from UK to NZ a few times, it takes a day of your life – not to be undertaken without a clear objective. That gives me hope for Rafa’s chances at the AO.
I’m another one who’s very upset at Andy’s news, I so hope he can find a way back, but if not that he finds a way to accept that he can’t – and just be able to run around and play with his kids. Andy has been so honest and brave about his situation. No idea what’s happening with Novak and Stan… I’m hoping Rafa is being quietly confident :/ Just waiting to see him play!
There’s so much talk of injuries and potential retirements going on everywhere, but there’s also a slam coming up. Tennis goes on. Vamos Rafa!!
The tie break tens sounds like fun and a cool way to warm up before the AO. I’m full of mixed emotions about the start of Rafa’s season: excited, apprehensive, hopeful, optimistic….Like other Rafa fans, I just want him to be healthy and do well. Now more than ever, Rafa needs to be sensible about his schedule and I think Carlos Moyà will be the great leveler and convince Rafa to keep it real.
What a lovely message of support that Rafa sent to Andy on Instagram. It can’t be easy for Andy to be sitting on the sidelines injured (and Rafa knows more than most how it feels) but I wish him all the very best.
Good news, so far, from Rafa’s Twitter account:
@RafaelNadal
On my way to Melbourne @AustralianOpen and will be playing the #tiebreaktens on Wednesday 10th looking forward to seeing you there! You guys ready? @DjokerNole @stanwawrinka @NickKyrgios @lleytonhewitt
6:50 AM · Jan 3, 2018 from Spain
Bring it on Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
Hi Margo, I was going to post this happy news, but you and Maria beat me to it! I was so thrilled to see Rafa’s smiling face at the airport. You may have heard that Novak has announced his plans to play an exhibition in Australia plus the Fast Ten. He must be feeling better too. I have no expectations for Rafa at the AO. I would love it if Rafa can retain his number one ranking, but it is more important that he stay happy and healthy.
I said Fast Ten, but it is the TieBreak competition.
And a happy New Year to you.
Glad you saw his great smile. I was trying to post the picture here but don’t know how to. I, too, was happy about that smile.
I am also in a wait-and-see mode. Experience as a Rafa fan has taught me that I really don’t know what is going on with Rafa until it does — Bercy and the ATP Finals are just two examples [after so many assurances that he was fit]. Sponsors and tournaments most likely play a key role in what is divulged and when.
Glad you brought it up. I was wondering how Nole will play both the Tie Break Tens [Jan. 10] and that exhibition tournament [Jan. 9-?].
Various articles indicate that Rafa, Nole, and Stan are just testing themselves in these tournaments to see where their fitness lies. I hope they all do well.
I really didn’t expect Andy to return so soon. When he left Wimbledon he talked about his hip and how long [years] he’s been having problems and pain. Sounds like a degenerative problem. I feel for him. It’s just so sad. Did you read his recent statement? The only thing new is that he expresses such sadness about not being able to play. He posted a picture of himself, a much younger Andy, with the comment to his fans. The prognosis is the same as it was six months ago. I am guessing he needs a hip replacement.
RAFA ROCKS
It’s the Kooyong Classic, Jan. 9-12. Tie Break Tens is Jan. 10.
RAFA ROCKS
If all is well, Rafa should be leaving soon in order to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow. Like Rafa, I am very sad over Andy’s news. It is yet another example that we cannot take anything for granted. Rafa always says that he knows his next match coukd be his last. Rafa’s to Andy was short, but sweet. It was yet another example of how special Rafa is.
Oops, sorry for the typos. I wish we had an edit option. I meant to say Rafa’s note.
Va4favre, Rafa posted a pic of himself at Palma airport and put “on my way” so hopefully all will be well. As you have said that you can’t take things for granted , I’m sure Andy would have thought that one year he would be world number 1⃣ and now he is ranked 16, I’m hoping Rafas’s fate will have a happier outcome.
Wouldn’t not would
all the best with your first game of the season,lots to watch on the tv this year tennis of course,vamos rafa.
Hope to see you playing good & winning…!!
I’m hoping Rafas’s knee will hold out for the AO and he doesn’t pull out or for me the AO will be over before it begins . Haven’t heard any updates on Novak but it is not looking good for Andy at all who sent out a message on Instagram . Here is just a little of it – In the short term I’m going to be staying in Australia for the next couple of days to see if my hip settles down a bit and will decide by the weekend whether to stay out here or fly home to assess what I do next. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to keep everyone in the loop and get this off my chest as it’s really hurting inside. Hope to see you back on the court soon 🎾😢❤️
Poor Andy who is also considering surgery if needs be
Rafa the lovely man he is replied: Andy, we miss you and we hope to see you back soon! ‘Get well my friend!’