Reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal has denounced “worse quality” balls set to be used at this year’s tournament.
The Spaniard claimed the Dunlop balls were different to those used in 2022, despite reassurances from organisers that they are unchanged year on year.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Nadal said the speed of the court at Melbourne Park was fine, but the balls were poor when compared to last year.
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“No, the speed of the court, I think, (is) not (a) big difference. The ball, yes,” he said.
“I don’t know. They say (it) is the same, but the ball is worse quality, without a doubt.
“We can’t talk about that anymore. It’s what we have. We need to play with it.
“I think it’s a ball that doesn’t get the same spin as usual. After a couple of hits, the ball loses the pressure. It’s more difficult to hit with the right spin. But I think it’s easier to play when you play flatter on the shots.”
Known for his high-spin playing style, Nadal believes he has done enough to prepare and adjusted to the new balls ahead of his first-round match against Jack Draper.
“I need to live with it,” he said.
“I think I (have) practised enough with the ball to be ready for it.”
The Australian Open is the only major where Dunlop supplies the balls. Roland-Garros and the US Open both use Wilson, while Wimbledon uses Slazenger.
Speaking on his first-round match against Draper, he said he expected a tough assignment to start his Australian Open defence.
Draper made it as far as the semi-finals at Adelaide International 2, falling to Kwon Soon-woo in a Centre Court thriller.
“Of course, probably one of the toughest first rounds possible, being seeded,” Nadal said of Draper.
“Young, powerful, growing very fast on the ranking, playing well. So, probably a big challenge for me at the beginning to start the tournament.
“Let’s see. I am just here to give myself a chance. I know he is playing well and he has a lot of positive things and probably a great career in front (of him), but I hope to be ready to fight for that first round, and let’s see what can happen.”
Nadal has been on the receiving end of some shock losses lately.
He began 2023 at the United Cup where he lost to Cameron Norrie and then Alex De Minaur.
That led to questions about his future and whether he might look to retire, but he quickly brushed those questions off.
A finals berth at the Australian Open and a chance to go back-to-back might quell some of that speculation.
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