2023 Australian Open: Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray Get Tough Draw

The Australian Open’s top seed Rafael Nadal will face rising British prodigy Jack Draper in the opening round. Andy Murray was also dealt a challenging draw.

In the opening round of the Australia Open, Novak Djokovic will take on Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena, while Murray will play the 13th seed Matteo Berrettini.

The opponent for Tamara Korpatsch of Germany is Emma Raducanu, who has been battling with an ankle issue.

In the second round, 20-year-old Raducanu might compete against seventh-seeded Coco Gauff.

Draper said it would be “amazing” to play on the court with Nadal after finding out about their first-round matchup.

Last year, Draper became one of the ATP Tour’s up-and-coming players. This year, the left-hander has made even more rapid advancements after reaching the semifinals in Adelaide.

But it couldn’t have been any more difficult for him to make his Melbourne Park main-draw debut.

Although he has battled with injuries and dropped his first two matches of the year, Nadal, 36, is still a formidable opponent for most rivals. He is the current champion.

The 40th-ranked Draper is a young talent who possesses the strength and assurance that the 22-time major champion would probably not want to start against.

Murray, a former world number one, will also be wishing his luck had been different.

Earlier on Thursday, the 35-year-old Scot made an impression by defeating Australian Alex de Minaur in an exhibition match at the Kooyang Classic. He later expressed his desire for a favorable result at Melbourne Park.

Instead, he was matched up against Italy’s Berrettini, who last year advanced to the semi-finals and whose huge serving causes problems for most opponents.

The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam event of the new year, is held at Melbourne Park from January 16 to 29.