Rafael Nadal’s victorious run in the first round of the Australian Open was briefly halted by a bizarre episode when his racket was ‘stolen’ by a ball boy. The strange incident occurred during the first set, as the Spaniard advanced 4-3 over Britain’s Jack Draper at Rod Laver Arena. “I need my bat back,” the 36-year-old defending champion told the chair umpire. It wasn’t immediately clear what happened, but it appears that Nadal asked for his racket to be re-strung, while the ball boy took the wrong racket. “The ball boy took my bat!” Nadal yelled a smile at Draper, making it clear what the “robbery” was about. The episode, which did not overly affect the Spanish star, who won the match despite going down in the second set. “I wasn’t distracted, it was just a fun situation. I always watch the rackets I’m sending to the string, and I’m very meticulous about this – Nadal told Eurosport at the end of the match – but today a footballer was misunderstood, sent to the string I wanted to play. Fortunately, they got it back to me just in time.”
Reproduction is reserved © ANSA Copyright
“Devoted bacon guru. Award-winning explorer. Internet junkie. Web lover.”
