Rafael Nadal: It’s one of my toughest first-round games

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal opens his Australian Open title defence on Monday feeling vulnerable and against a dangerous young opponent, with women's top seed Iga Swiatek also facing a tricky encounter as she targets a maiden crown. The first Grand Slam of the year kicks off at Melbourne Park with the men's world number one ranking at stake and a new women's champion set to be crowned after Ashleigh Barty's shock retirement following her win last year.

Spanish great Nadal, 36, has lost six of his past seven matches, including his opening two this year, ahead of a difficult afternoon clash on Rod Laver Arena against Britain's in-form Jack Draper. "Probably one of the toughest first-round [games] possible, being seeded," said the 22-time Grand Slam winner and top seed. "Young, powerful, growing very fast on the ranking, playing well," added Nadal on his opponent.

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Meanwhile, Top seed Swiatek is clear favourite having dominated women's tennis following the retirement in March last year of Barty. The Pole secured eight WTA titles in 2022 and became the first woman in six years to win two Grand Slams in the same season - at Roland Garros and New York. With retired great Serena Williams and two-time Melbourne winner Naomi Osaka also missing, it is almost certain that there will be a new name on the Daphne Akhurst trophy.

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