Emotional words from Papa Nadal about his baby
“I don’t know if I can be without him for a month”
Rafael Nadal (36) defeated his papi curse at the Australian Open. The Spaniard is happy not to be alone in Melbourne – he relies on the Federer recipe.
Published: 8 minutes ago
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Rafael Nadal made a successful start to the Australian Open – in round one he defeated Jack Draper.
Marco Pescioreporter sports
It’s not as huge as the former tour entourage of double twin father Roger Federer (41), but now Rafael Nadal is traveling around the world with a large entourage. Since the birth of Rafael Junior last October, the life of the current world number two has been turned upside down. “I have to reorganize myself now – but we have help,” Nadal recently told the Herald.
The Australian Open now shows: The Mallorcan does it like his buddy and long-time rival Federer. He and his wife Xisca Perello (34) are traveling with a nanny.
“I’m glad my wife agreed”
After his opening win in Melbourne against the British Jack Draper (ATP 38/7: 5, 2: 6, 6: 4, 6: 1), he admits that he is happy to have his family around him “Down Under”. He says with a smile: «I enjoy it very much. Having a new member in the family is a beautiful thing. I’m glad my wife agreed to come with me.”
Because Nadal has concerns that it could have a negative impact on his performance if he were separated from his baby for a long time: “I don’t know if I can be without him for a month. For example, whether I miss him so much after three weeks that I lose my focus a little. »
“I guess I have to improve a little”
After all: Nadal has finally defeated his little papi curse. He hadn’t survived a single round since he was born. First he was thrown out in Paris at the end of October, then it was the end of the group phase at the ATP finals in Turin. And he also lost both individual games at the United Cup at the beginning of the new year. “I guess I have to improve a little,” he joked about his negative papi series before the Australian Open.
Now he was finally successful against Draper – and is on course for Grand Slam title number 23. His next opponent is ranked worse than his starting opponent Draper: It is the American Mackenzie McDonald (ATP 65), who in turn has something in common with Nadal has. He too has been waiting for a winning streak since October (and reaching the semi-finals in Naples).