Spain’s Paula Badosa showered praise on Rafael Nadal, calling him very supportive. Badosa also revealed that the 22-time Grand Slam champion was really ‘into the matches’ of the United Cup. Spain was knocked out after their 4-1 loss against Great Britain in the Group stage in Sydney in the inaugural edition of the mixed-team tournament.

Badosa claimed the solitary win for Spain as she defeated Harriet Dart by 6-7(6), 7-6 (5), 6-1. Badosa had to fight against her cramps but came out as a winner in the end.

“Well, he’s very into the matches. I really appreciate that. Yeah, he’s very supportive. Yeah, I mean, a little bit of the game, stay aggressive. He was really going, like, telling me, like, stay very aggressive, especially with my forehand, with the serve. That was a little bit what I was trying,” she stated in the post-match press conference.

The Spaniard revealed she had to take her chances with the shots as she was tired during the game.

“As well I was a little bit tired, so I had to go more for the shots. So, yeah, he was just very supportive and saying that to me,” the player from Spain explained.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal will be looking to defend his Australian Open title. However, Nadal’s preparation didn’t start on a good note as he lost the season’s opener against Britain’s Cameron Norrie by 3-6 6-3 6-4. Nadal then had to withdraw from the doubles match in which he was supposed to partner Paula Badosa.

Nadal will be hopeful of getting back to his best before the Australian Open. The Spaniard had scripted history by winning the Happy Slam in 2022 and he will look to replicate the same success. The Spaniard also squashed retirement rumors in a recent press conference at the United Cup.

The Australian Open will begin on January 16.