Rafael Nadal’s two-month-old son will be with him in Australia as the 36-year-old begins his quest to win his 23rd career grand slam.
Tennis sources with knowledge of the situation told the Herald that Nadal and his wife, Maria Perello, have brought over a nanny to help take care of son Rafael.
The Spaniard, who will open his United Cup campaign against Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Saturday afternoon, is renowned for keeping his personal life private, but said he was “sleeping well” following his son’s birth in October.
He joked about his performances since becoming a father.
“Well, the first event I play [as] a father without the baby with me, I lost first round,” Nadal joked in Sydney on Wednesday.
“Second event, travelling with the baby, I was out of the group stage. At the end I won my last match, but I need to keep improving, no?
“Easy. We have some help. No problem at all. Just I need to organise a little bit my life, as everybody needs to do when you have a child in your life.”
Rafael Nadal has travelled to Australia for the first time as a father.Credit:James Brickwood
Hewitt grounded as late show beckons
While all the attention was on the no-show of Nick Kyrgios at Wednesday’s United Cup media launch, there was another notable absentee.
Australia co-captain Lleyton Hewitt was meant to join Sam Stosur for the home side’s press conference but wasn’t even in the country. His flight was delayed, but he is expected to be courtside for Australia’s opening match at Ken Rosewall Arena on Thursday night.
Aussie a hit with Rafa
Australia’s Jordan Thompson was given the honour of hitting up with Rafael Nadal on centre court on Wednesday.
The world No.84, who resides in Sydney, isn’t part of Australia’s United Cup campaign. Instead, he spent his afternoon helping Nadal fine tune his game ahead of the Spaniard’s opening match against Norrie.
Nadal has won both his matches against Thompson throughout his career, the most recent in the opening round of the French Open this year.
Kvitova’s home away from home
No one has had more success in Sydney than Czech Republic star Petra Kvitova. The two-time grand slam champion has won 29 titles throughout her decorated career, two of those in Sydney.
Her first came eight years ago against fellow Czech Karolina Pliskova before she lifted the Sydney International trophy once again against retired Australian superstar Ash Barty in 2019.
“When we got into the United Cup, I was wishing we could play in Sydney,” Kvitova said before the Czech Republic’s first match of the United Cup on Thursday afternoon.
“We can’t wish for more. I have great memories from here. It’s always the best, and I’m looking forward to sharing this beautiful centre court with my teammates.”
Demon to cash in after Kyrgios’ withdrawal
Nick Kyrgios’ withdrawal might have been a pain for Alex de Minaur, who now has to meet Cameron Norrie and Rafael Nadal as the No.1-ranked Australian men’s player, but it also means he’s in line to cash in as well.
The United Cup’s unique prizemoney structure works on a sliding scale, depending on whether a player is the No.1 or No.2 ranked singles player for their country. It unashamedly tries to attract the best players in the world, who will also be given $296,000 just for appearing at the event if they’re a top 10 player.
Alex de Minaur will be the top ranked Australian at the United Cup after Nick Kyrgios’ withdrawal.Credit:James Brickwood
De Minaur will now bank $57,000 for a singles win during the United Cup group stage, while Kyrgios’ replacement, Jason Kubler, will pocket $38,000 for a win as the team’s No.2 player. A win as a team’s No.1-ranked player in the final is worth a cool $372,000.
Captains to embrace technology for coaching
Great Britain captain Tim Henman was happy to talk up the benefits of technology for his United Cup campaign, where teams will be able to make use of a “strategy room” with instant replays as part of a relaxation of the sport’s normally tough coaching laws.
“I think everyone is a little bit different with the input they want to have on the court,” Henman said. “You’ve got to feel for that anyway.
“With technology being such a beneficial addition for the sport, if it’s there, use it. Three years ago [in the ATP Cup] I felt the teams in the corners of the court were absolutely brilliant. If you’ve got a big team you can create that buzz in the corner and I think it’s brilliant.”
Said Germany’s captain Mischa Zverev: “Data in general in tennis is playing a bigger role these days. Sometimes it’s very useful, sometimes I actually call it confusing because there’s a lot of things we do need, but many things we don’t need.”
Watch the United Cup live and free on the Nine Network on Channel 9 and 9Gem. Every match will be available live on 9Now.
