Rafael Nadal disapproves faster Melbourne Park courts ahead of Australian Open 2014

World number one Rafael Nadal believes that hardcourts at the Melbourne Park are playing faster than the last time he played. The Spaniard says that this may not be favorable especially for fans who wants to see a good show. The Australian Open 2014 tournament begins on Monday, January 13.

The blue Plexicushion courts have attracted attention this year as some players observed faster bounce and player. However, tournament director Craig Tiley said that the same surface has been used as with previous years.

Tennis stars such as Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt have welcomed the slicker courts but it’s not the same case for the 2009 Melbourne champion.

“Completely different conditions than what I remembered of this tournament,” Nadal told reporters while practicing on the courts.

“Faster conditions that I ever played here in Australia.”

“Well, I really don’t understand very well why they change because the last couple of years, Australian Open had amazing matches, long ones, good ones for the crowd.

“I don’t know why the people who decide to make the conditions that fast.

“I am not sure for the show that it’s the best thing. But they decide and I’m just a player to try to be competitive from the beginning.

“I arrived one week before. I think that I am practising better a little bit every day. I hope to adjust my game to these conditions.”

Slower court surfaces seem to favor Nadal’s game. The Spaniard won eight of his 13 Grand Slam titles at the French Open which is played on clay courts. He won the Australian Open once in 2009, the Wimbledon and US Opens twice each.

Nadal missed the Australian Open 2013 tournament due to ongoing recuperation from a knee injury that led him to miss the second half of the 2012 season. He would go on to make an astonishing return on tour which saw him win two Grand Slam titles (French Open, US Open) and five ATP Masters 1000 titles. He went on to win a total of 10 titles.

“(The) most important thing for me is be able to be competitive in every tournament that I going to play,” he said.

“When you are getting older, thinking about the number one ranking is tougher.

“You have to take care a little bit more about your body, your health. For me the main goal is to try to be here for a long time, for not only one more or two more years.

“If that makes me lose maybe some tournaments to protect my health, (the) consequence will (be) less chances to be in the top position of the rankings.

“I have been in the top two positions in the rankings for a lot of my career, so is not something that is a priority today.”

Nadal is slated to face Australian Bernard Tomic in the first round. This will be an interesting match-up considering that Tomic has had a solid finish at this week’s Sydney International where he reached the final but lost to new champion Juan Martin Del Potro. Tomic was the defending champion of the event.

“Australian crowd is one of the best,” he said. “I really have fun all the time when I was able to play on this fabulous court, Rod Laver Arena.

“I think they understand about tennis. They respect always the opponent. I am not worried about that. I’m sure the crowd will be great.”