Former World No.1 Lindsay Davenport reckons Rafael Nadal will need a good first week in order to defend his Australian Open title. Nadal hasn’t gotten off to a great start in the season, losing to Cameron Norrie and Alex de Minaur in the United Cup.

It has been noticed that Nadal could be a slow starter if he lacks match practice in the recent past. However, Nadal recently admitted that he is happy with his preparation for the Happy Slam despite suffering two losses in the season.

Furthermore, the Spaniard has received a tough draw as he will face the World No. 40 Jack Draper, who has qualified for the semifinals in Adelaide in the opening round.

“I think that he needs a good first week to really give him that kind of extra push and confidence to get through the second week. We all know he can do it, right? We all know that he has the ability.

“Looks like physically he’s doing better, doesn’t have the ab issue. Hopefully, that stays away. His foot seems to be okay. I think he needs a couple of matches where he plays really well early on in Melbourne, doesn’t get too fatigued out there, doesn’t get injured, and gets that confidence up. If he’s able to enter the second week with that kind of belief, then look out. Everybody knows that,” Davenport said on Tennis Channel.

Nadal could face Mackenzie McDonald or reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Brandon Nakashima in the second round. Frances Tiafoe and Daniil Medvedev are his potential fourth-round and quarterfinals opponents respectively.

Meanwhile, Nadal had missed the second half of the 2021 season due to his foot injury but surprised one and all by going all the way in the 2022 Australian Open.

Nadal will be looking to win his first week’s matches in straight sets so that he can be fresh for the second week. The AO 2023 will begin on January 16.