‘The Picture Has Been Unfavorable’- Defending Australian Open Champion Rafael Nadal Analyses His Giant Nick Kyrgios Challenge Next Month

Rafael Nadal is ready to keep his reigning Australian Open title. And for that, the Spaniard is ready to play in the United cup as his warm-up tournament. However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion believes that he will have a difficult showdown while facing Nick Kyrgios and Cameron Norrie. But what made the Tennis legend think so?

The Spaniard is all set to compete in the United Cup. The former world champion is a member of group D which includes Australia and Great Britain as well as his home country Spain. The tennis star will participate in a few handpicked matches before continuing on to the first Grand Slam event of the upcoming season in 2023.

Rafael Nadal analyses his United Cup competitors

The 22-time Grand Slam champion most recently went to the AS Gala. In an interview with the AS, world number two discusses how little time he has left to practice until the first Grand Slam tournament of 2023. In addition, the tennis icon mentioned his involvement in the first United Cup competition while talking about the Australian Open. When discussing the tournament, the Spaniard mentions Nick Kyrgios and Cameron Norrie as difficult challengers, but with a twist.

He said, “The only bad thing is that the first two games that I will play in the United Cup. They are very difficult (Norrie and Kyrgios). The picture has been unfavorable in that regard, but I think the base is good, which I trust will serve me this start to the season. Beyond the competition, we are going to do everything possible to try to go as far as possible, the important thing is that I arrive very soon.” 

READ MORE – Nick Kyrgios, Who Is in Red-Hot Form, Issues Staggering Warning to Rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic Ahead of 2023 Atp Season- ‘Don’t Forget’

The Wimbledon finalist is focused on the Tennis circuit. The 27-year-old was, however, once persuaded to compete against the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

When Kyrgios was forced to play against Nadal

Back in 2019, when the Australian tennis player was preparing to face the Spaniard at Wimbledon. During that period, the ‘Wild Thing’ did not take his match seriously and was forced to leave the club at midnight by his agent. So that, the Australian player would be prepared to take on one of the greatest tennis giants in history the next day.

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The tennis player never intended to be a consistent player. But over the past several years, he has unquestionably put a lot of consistency and work into his game. What are your thoughts on Rafael Nadal vs. Nick Kyrgios? Tell us in the comments section below.