On Monday, Nadal again showed his competitiveness during his Fast 4 encounter with Nick Kyrgios.
The Fast 4 format is seen as a lighthearted version of the game by many and a way in which tennis can appeal to a new audience, much like the way Twenty20 has transformed cricket. However Nadal was taking the concept seriously. Aussie tennis legend Wally Masur was drafted in to coach the Spaniard as part of the World Team against Australia, but Nadal wasn't too keen to take his leader's advice.
"Rafa you want to go Powerplay? Masur asked at one point during the match.
Instead, Nadal invoked the Powerplay (where points are worth double) the very next point and won, taking a 3-2 lead before going on to win the set.
"Well played Rafa. Fought it out well and used the Powerplay to perfection," Rasheed commented.
The Spanish star has been plagued by injury in recent months and was using the Fast 4 event to gain further match practice ahead of the Australian Open.
Nadal provided the perfect example for the next generation of tennis stars with his work ethic, as noted by the Seven commentary team.
"Look at Rafa's determination. You look at him and he's hyped up and running up and down," Rasheed said.
"It is like he just won his first Grand Slam title. He's a unique champion of our sport."
It was classic Nadal in the end against Kyrgios as he refused to lie down against the young Aussie. Nadal fought off match point before Kyrgios wrapped up the contest 4-3, 2-4, 4-3, 4-3.
The Spaniard now switches focus to the Australian Open, where he will put his body to the test. Nadal is confident he can be among the contenders at Melbourne Park.
"I am happy to be back on the tour. I'm happy to be able to keep playing and competing well and I am excited about this year," Nadal said.
"I just started well this season. I feel like I had a good off season and big tournament coming and I'm going to Melbourne to try to prepare myself the right way in the next couple of days and I hope to be ready for the Australian Open."
