Rafael Nadal was left amused throughout his Australian Open 2023 opener towards Jack Draper from the United Kingdom after a racquet belonging to the 22-time Grand Slam winner went lacking in the course of the recreation. The incident passed off in the course of the first set with Nadal main 4-3 and on the point of face Draper’s serve. The Spaniard couldn’t discover his racquet and later burst into laughter as he thought it was picked by a ballboy. “I need the racquet back, ballboy took my racquet,” he instructed the umpire.

It was later revealed that the ballboy mistakenly took the racquet that Nadal was utilizing with the intention to get it restrung. The racquet was additionally returned to Nadal after the confusion across the scenario was resolved.

“That’s a big mistake,” Australian Open commentator John Fitzgerald stated on Channel 9.

Watch it right here:

“The ballboy took my racquet”

A particular first for Rafa!#AusOpen#AO2023 pic.twitter.com/T4xqN4ZLBd

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2023

It was a surprisingly difficult outing for Nadal as he defeated Draper 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in three hours and 41 minutes. Draper seemed decided within the first set and even ended up profitable the second however there was no stopping Nadal on Monday as he produced a commendable efficiency to clinch the encounter. He will now face Mackenzie McDonald within the subsequent spherical.

“Very exciting, new beginning, just super-happy to be back at Rod Laver with a victory I needed,” Nadal stated after the match.

“Last couple of months have not been easy for me… a very positive start.”

Nadal gained the 2022 version of the event after beating Danil Medvedev within the summit conflict.

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