Ready for the first Grand Slam of the year? After some delays, the Australian Open draw was performed today.
World No. 6 Rafael Nadal will start his quest for a second Australian Open title against American Marcos Giron and could face Thanasi Kokkinakis, the Aussie wild card, in the second round.
Projected quarter-finals:
- Novak Djokovic vs Matteo Berrettini
- Alexander Zverev vs Rafael Nadal
- Casper Ruud vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Andrey Rublev vs Daniil Medvedev
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Marcos Giron
- 2nd round: Thanasi Kokkinakis
- 3rd round: Karen Khachanov
- Last 16: Hubert Hurkacz
- Quarter-final: Alexander Zverev
- Semi-final: Novak Djokovic
- Final: Daniil Medvedev
Rafa is bidding to clinch a 21st Grand Slam title of his career and his second in Melbourne.
All the best of luck in the world to you, Rafa! VAMOS!
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I am banking on Rafa to coming shining through. My best wishes and good luck Rafan
Anyone remember Aslan Karatsev? He has moved up to World No. 20 and I’m curious to see how he does at the AO.
He will play Andy Murray in the Sidney International final tomorrow and this is what Andy had to say about him:
Tweet from Tennis reporters
Reem Abulleil
@ReemAbulleil
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53m
Andy Murray: Karatsev, yeah, I have never played against him. I have practiced with him one time in the grass last year. He’s obviously a huge, huge ball striker. Really strong guy. Huge pair of calves on him.
Yes, I remember him. He made the semis last year as a qualifier, but lost to you know who.
I remember Karatsev because last year Medvedev said he was his secret weapon. Well Karatsev is now ranked #20 so I am curious to see how far he will go this year at the AO.
Rafa is scheduled to play his first round on Monday, not before 2pm local time, on RLA.
RAFA ROCKS
I got Rafa’s Monday schedule from Tanika on Twitter.
Novak Djokovics visa has been revoked once again by Australia’s immigration minister.Alex Hawke. The visa was cancelled for the second time on the grounds of “public interest” relating to “health” and “good order”, as it was in the “public interest” to do so. ND legal team is going to file another injunction for the courts to hear this case again prior to the start of the AO. If his visa revocation stands then ND will be banned from Australia for 3 years unless he files papers showing just cause to allow him back in.
The Guardian reports “According to the AO’s rule book, Djokovic’s withdrawal after the completion of the draw means his slot in the draw will go to #5 seed Audrey Roblev. It is unclear at this point how Tennis Australia will react to this news.
Sounds like this saga will continue until it reaches courts once again and a final decision is made on the appeal.
Rafa was so right in calling this situation a “circus”. Why a visa was granted to begin with. is the question of the day as all of this could have been avoided from the get-go.
I can only imagine what a distraction this has been on the players.
Knowing Rafa, my hope is that he’s staying laser focused on the task at hand.
As we all know he has a way in tournaments to get better and better as he works his way through the first few rounds.
Stay focused and take one round at a time…
You can do it Rafa…. yes you can!!!!
VAMOS RAFA!!!
Hawke said he based his decision to cancel ND’s visa a second time “…after carefully considering after information provided to me by the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Mr. Djokovic.”
I will venture that there won’t be an appeal after reading Hawke’s statement.
Djokovic has not only had his visa cancelled for a second time, but unless there are “compelling circumstances that affect the interests of Australia” will not be eligible for a visa again for a further 3 years.
Well I sure hope the Australian government gets it right this time. There are too many holes in his explanation for an exemption eligibility. Of course his lawyers will again appeal but I’m betting he won’t win on a technicality this time. He got lucky the first appeal. Judge Kelly is undoubtedly aware of this new development. In my opinion he’s gotta rule that ND lied on his exemption application, among other reasons for canceling his visa.
Well, I didn’t expect Rafa to get past the fourth round/quarters this year so that certainly hasn’t changed. If he gets to the quarters I’ll be happy, although if he does get there he’ll be playing well by then. Just hope his body holds up….because he will have some long tough matches.
Rafa will look at the draw and then take it one. match. at. a . time. Which is how he won the Summer Set. NO ONE focuses better than Rafa and no one rises to a challenge better! Vamos!
No question that the draw is challenging but I would rather that as it provides a good opportunity for Rafa to return to the top of the men’s game and overtake Djokovic and Federer to get to 21st slam . As Rafa always states , we take it one point at a time . Rafa will need to play offensive tennis and take the return earlier and mix up his game . Serving first serve at 70%plus puts Rafa in control of just about every opponent .
The last projected player will be the most challenging. Medvedev comes to play and he does it amazingly well. Good Luck, Rafa. A good luck hug for a great tournament.
Rafa’s opponents will have nightmares when he beats them.
Best of luck Rafa and keep fighting as you always have.
RAFA ROCKS
Bring it on! Rafa will take it match by match. Our champ can beat everyone there in his path. Let’s hope he stays healthy is all.
Gear up champ!!
Our support is with Rafa. This tournament is unprecedented from the get go. Rafa has fought through injury, Covid to be here. If he has the willpower to contend, play on.👏💪👍🤛🙏🍀🎾❤️
Woo night mare draw for rafa hé will be very depressed seeing that hé can lose in evers round
To all Rafa’s opponent’s…… Burn my boots,eat my socks !
All the negativity…give us a break. Rafa is King!! A simply beautiful person, integrity, honest, polite;
MANY BLESSINGS & VAMOS RAFA X
Not negative, just real. We all love Rafa and want him to do well.
Good luck Rafa vamosssssss champ we are with you all the way ❤️❤️❤️💪👍
That’s a really tough draw. Good luck and Vamos Rafa❤️
Rafa has one of the toughest draws, with lots of big, hard hitters in his half. In addition, the courts are very fast at the AO which won’t give Rafa time on the ball. I’m hoping that the stars will be aligned for our champ and that he’ll prevail.
I disagree that it’s a horror draw or whatever adjective was used to describe it… Rafa will do well – this is my humble prediction.
God bless you Rafa. And in every way. Stay healthy. Have a positive attitude and believe. I will be hoping and saying little prayers for you. And I hope you have the best of luck as well. Love you. Mary Lynn
Couldn’t have got a worse draw, especially when he’s just recovering and making his way back. Don’t know what to say 🙁
A great draw for R. Nadal. He will be the favorite in every match and expect he to blast his way to 21 Grand Slam titles Down Under..
Abhishek…I do understand your sentiment but I think wishing Rafa good luck is a great way to support our champ. He himself said he didn’t know how he would do. I hope he does overcome the barriers put in front of him.
Nothing won’t change even tomorrow when they finally kick out Djokovic cause Rublev will move into Djokovic’s spot, and then it will be wild open draw for Medvedev .
All the best to you Rafa
Well the only good thing about the draw is that usually the earlier that Rafa is challenged, the better and stronger his game gets, slowly improving round by round. This might be the best thing as he hasn’t had a lot of competition over the last few months. Vamos Rafa – I’m just excited to see him play again.
Agree TennisGirl…
I agree with you. When more challenge Rafa keeps his focus and playing better.
This kind of draw was expected, because he is #6 now. Ranking makes a difference.
Good luck, Rafa
Yes to you, uneproblemme, and Bistra.