Tennis Today: Rafa Nadal to go sleeveless

In Tennis Today, we have the latest on Rafael Nadal’s attire for the Australian Open while the papers have some hard-hitting stories.
What’s on the site
The Australian Open is just days away so do give our piece on the top contenders for the men’s title a read. Beware, it doesn’t feature Novak Djokovic or Stan Wawrinka.
In the news, get the latest on Rafael Nadal’s knee while Bernard Tomic says not being awarded a wildcard for the Australian Open is “not a problem”, but he also takes a swipe Tennis Australia.
What’s in the papers
You will find a good read in Telegraph Sport as Charlie Eccleshare is doing a three-part series “on the state of tennis away from the elite tour”. His special report includes “cheating claims, Christmas McDonald’s and throwing matches to catch flights”.
And to go with that, they also take a look at the 2018 Australian Open prize money where the winner will receive £2.32m while a first-round loser will earn £28.9k.
More hard-hitting stuff in the Daily Mail as they have translated Marion Bartoli’s interview in Lequipe.fr on how her ex-boyfriend pushed her to lose weight and called her “fat every day” and made her life “hellish”
The former Wimbledon winner will make a comeback this year after retiring four years ago.
The Express is at its clickbait best as “John Isner has made an enormous claim about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s rivalry”.
We’ll spare you the click as the American believes Federer still has a few years left to play, but says the physical game is starting to take its toll on Nadal.
Finally, it’s the news we have all been waiting for. Nadal will go sleeveless again for the Australian Open.
It will be the first time in 10 years that he will opt for this look, but it has nothing to do with showing off his muscles as Spanish paper Marca says he asked Nike to produce shirts to help fight the heat in Melbourne.
Naturally, the Nadal fans are excited.
10 years later, Rafa Nadal will play with a sleeveless shirt in the Australian Open 2018 ?????????? pic.twitter.com/FStHwYxamQ
— Rafa Nadal Morocco (@ReyDelTenis_) January 8, 2018
What’s on social media
You’ve gotta love @Gael_Monfils ??
Outrageous stuff at the World Tennis Challenge pic.twitter.com/WScx2CDCPx
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) January 9, 2018
The pace ??
The forehand winner ??A moment of doubles magic from Raven Klaasen in Auckland! #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/BfWlQz4Iw5
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 9, 2018
He came, he saw, he conquered. ?? @delpotrojuan takes his revenge on Denis Shapovalov in straight sets. #ASBClassic pic.twitter.com/nQ7BgW2vkm
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 10, 2018
What’s on TV
Australian Open Qualifying
See which players receive the final few entries into the 2018 Australian Open.
06:00-08:30 (Thursday morning)
LIVE – Eurosport 1
Tie Break Tens
Big names like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will all feature in this new exhibition event.
08:30-11:00 (Wednesday morning)
LIVE – Sky Sports Arena
WTA Sydney International
Two-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber will take on Dominika Cibulkova in one quarter-final while Barbora Strycova and Ashleigh Barty are also in action.
04:00-10:00 (Thursday morning)
LIVE – BT Sport 1
11:00-13:30 (Thursday morning)
LIVE – BT Sport 1
ATP Sydney International
The likes of Fabio Fognini, Adrian Mannarino, Benoit Paire and Paolo Lorenzi have all made it into the quarter-finals.
04:00-06:00 (Thursday morning)
LIVE – Eurosport 1
Hobart International
Heather Watson will be back in action as she clashes with Donna Vekic.
03:00-09:00 (Thursday morning)
LIVE – BT Sport 3
10:00-12:00 (Thursday morning)
LIVE – BT Sport 3
Latest
-
News
Jamie Murray says quarantine threat on tour means players must be ready to adapt
The doubles specialist plans to travel to tournaments in Mexico and Miami next month without knowing what to expect on arrival.
-
Tennis News
Battle of the Brits event is back and this time with spectators
The Battle of the Brits events were a huge success during the Covid-19 crisis and now they are set to return with spectators.
-
Tennis Features
The only way is up for Naomi Osaka as she looks to replicate hard-court success on clay and grass
Oli Jefford on the world being Naomi Osaka’s oyster.
-
Kevin Palmer
Britain’s strength in depth in doubles highlights quality of structure
British tennis may be wondering who can replace Andy Murray, but they have a very different story to tell in the doubles arena.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal pulls out of his next event due to ‘ongoing’ back problem
Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from the ABN…
-
Tennis News
Lleyton Hewitt to be inducted into International Tennis Hall Of Fame
Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt is the latest player who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
-
Tennis Features
Five of the best men’s matches at the Australian Open featuring Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Rafael Nadal, and more
The matches that made us sit up and take note.
-
Australian Open
Five of the best women’s matches at Australian Open featuring Naomi Osaka vs Garbine Muguruza, and more
Five of the best women’s singles matches at the 2021 Aus Open.
-
WTA Tour
Ashleigh Barty laments giving away control to Danielle Collins as she suffers defeat in Adelaide
Early exit for defending champion Ashleigh Barty.
-
Australian Open
Toni Nadal believes the pressure got to Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final
Daniil Medvedev felt the heat.