Rafael Nadal left hanging on to learn first opponent after Brisbane International draw
The draw for the Brisbane International has been completed and Rafael Nadal has managed to avoid the big names in the first round.
However, the Spaniard will have to wait to learn who he will face in the third round as he was drawn alongside a slot for a qualifier or lucky loser to be settled on Saturday.
The earliest that Nadal could meet a seeded player is the second round where he might face No 8 seed Aslan Karestev provided the Russian can battle beyond home hope Jason Kubler.
Nadal is in the same quarter as French rising star Ugo Humbert who holds the No 4 seeding and will himself start against either a qualifier or lucky loser.
The draw did absolutely no favours for Andy Murray who finds himself right at the bottom of the section and set to face No 2 seed Grigor Dimitrov in his first match of the season.
Top seed Holger Rune is drawn against Aussie Max Purcell to start with the Australian contingent in the draw very strong.
Not including qualifiers, 8 of the 32-man field are Australian, but with two sets of all Aussie clashes, not all of them will survive the first round.
Purcell was looking on the bright side of drawing No 1 seed Rune.
Purcell said: “I think with the amount of Australians in the draw, not having to play an Aussie is nice. I kind of hoped to play anyone but that, but I guess I got my wish. What better way to start the year, than playing against the No. 1 seed?”
Purcell should not be underestimated given the great strides he made in 2023.
“The loss against Carlos was the one (match) that stood out the most (this year),” Purcell said.
“The fact I went out there and serve-volleyed against the world No.1 and actually almost dug it out backed me with the fact that I can play from the back.
“I almost beat the world No.1 from the net in some conditions that he was really good in anyway. So it gave me a lot of belief that I can play with these guys.”
On Sunday, Nadal competes in his eagerly awaited comeback at the Brisbane International.
The Spanish sensation, who won an Olympic gold medal with Marc Lopez in 2016, will play in a men’s doubles first-round match with the same partner.
Since 2021, Lopez, 41, has served as a member of Nadal’s coaching staff.
The wildcard team faces Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell, an all-Australian team, in the last scheduled game at Pat Rafter Arena.
This will be Nadal’s first doubles match since he teamed up with Roger Federer for the Laver Cup final match of 2022, which marked the end of Federer’s career.
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal makes honest admission about winning titles but asserts ‘nothing is impossible’
