(AP) – Top-ranked Rafael Nadal will make his return from injury at the Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament to prepare for the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 15. He will play Kooyong for the first time in his career and will be in opening day action on Tuesday.
(Jan. 6, 2018 – Source: Michael Dodge/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafa joins Marin Cilic (world No. 5), Dominic Thiem (6), David Goffin (7), Pablo Carreno Busta (10), Novak Djokovic (12), Kevin Anderson (14), Richard Gasquet (31), Yoshihito Nishioka (67), Matthew Ebden (76) and Bernard Tomic (140) in the tournament.
Tournament director Peter Johnston on Sunday said negotiations with Rafa accelerated after the 16-time major winner withdrew from the Brisbane International.
“Rafa was looking for match play and of course we were more than happy to oblige,” Johnston said. “The addition of both Novak and Rafa changes our schedule and the way we will run the four days but that’s what Kooyong is all about, we are here to help the players get ready for the Open.”
Source: Associated Press
Rafa best wishes for australia open beat the nole
Rafa will play against Richard Gasquet on Tuesday at the Kooyong Classic.
RAFA ROCKS AUSTRALIA
Richard Who?…..Gasquet? The French man?
Why, even if Rafa is blind folded, he’d still win!!!! Those are life pigeons of Rafa just as Maria Sharapova is to SW.
But, as always, we’d see…….hmmmn
Rafa I will see you soon in Melbourne so trust all goes well with Koorong,
Love,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
I wish you the best in 2018. I hope u win the Australian Open. It’s you turn nu# 1. Vamos are Camp!
mucha suerte mi querido campeon, vamos por el 17 eres el mejor
VAMOS RAFA
The best of luck for 2018. Hope you have s fantastic year. 👍👍❤️
Congrats to Nick Kyrgios who just won his first ATP title at Bribane.
RAFA ROCKS AUSTRALIA
Correction: his first home-turf ATP title at Brisbane.
RAFA ROCKS AUSTRALIA
All the Best Rafa good luck Champ.vamossssssssssss all the way.❤️❤️❤️❤️🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍😘🏆
It’s exciting and fortuitous that Rafa is getting the chance to play before the start of the AO and even better that there are no penalties involved with his two events.
Together with his game, I hope all the luck is on Rafa’s side in 2018.
RAFA ROCKS AUSTRALIA
Wow .fantastic news. Brilliant
way to go rafa enjoy ,,all the best for a wonderful year for ya ,,
Just bought my ticket! Thanks Rafa! What a bonus! Two events and Aussie Open!
What a treat, enjoy yourself Elizabeth.
Lucky you! Vamos Rafa
Have a good time Elizabeth and please share your experience with all of us here. 🙂
All the best Rafa <3