Australian Open draw: Rafael Nadal to play Jack Draper

• Jack Draper has been handed a blockbuster draw as he will be facing Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open first round. 
• Novak Djokovic, who missed last year’s event, will face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round. 

Jack Draper has been handed a blockbuster draw as he will be facing Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open first round. 

The 21-year-old is one of the rising stars in tennis and has continued with his impressive performance by reaching the Adelaide semi-finals last week.

Rafael Nadal and Jack Draper will meet in the first round at the Australian Open. Photo/ The National.

However, his draw at the Australian Open is tougher, considering Rafael Nadal is an experienced player and one of the all-time greats. 

Nadal remains a tough opponent for most players at the Australian Open despite his recent struggles with injuries. But he wouldn’t love to start against a young talent like Jack Draper, who is full of confidence and power. 

In another draw, Andy Murray will face 13th seed Matteo Berrettini. Andy recently defeated Alex de Minaur in an exhibition match at the Kooyong Classic and said he would love such a draw at the Australian Open. 

However, he will face a much tougher opponent, Matteo, in the first round. The Italian reached the semi-finals of last year’s event. 

Novak Djokovic, who missed last year’s event, will face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round. 

Novak Djokovic missed last year’s Australian Open after being deported from Australia due to his vaccination status. 

The Serbia international is a nine-time champion of the Australian Open and is looking forward to winning it again this year. He recently won the Adelaide title last week. 

Novak could face home favourite Nick Kyrgios in the quarter-finals but would only meet defending champion Rafael Nadal in the finals. 

If Novak Djokovic claims the Australian Open title, he would equal Rafael Nadal’s men’s record for titles. 

Emma Raducanu will face Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch in the first round and could face seventh seed Coco Grauff next. 

Emma has been making headlines in the past few days over whether she would be fit to play in the Australian Open. This is because she rolled an ankle last week in Auckland. 

However, she has been practising on the court and is likely to play next week. Emma Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021, is currently ranked 75th worldwide.

Emma Raducanu. Photo/ Tennis365.

Another eye-catching draw in the women’s draw sees world number one Iga Swiatek face Jule Niemeier. Iga reached the semi-finals last year, and Jule recently reached the quarter-finals in Wimbledon. 

Former champions Sofia Kenin and Victoria Azarenka also face off in the first round. 

Britain’s highest-ranked player Cameron Norrie starts against French wildcard Luca van Assche. On the other hand, 25th seed San Evans will face Facundo Bagnis. 

Swiss 32nd seed Jil Teichmann plays Harried Dart in the first round. Kyle Edmund, who reached the semi-finals in 2018, will play Italian 15th seed, Jannik Sinner.