Rafael Nadal uses bizarre method to start Indian Wells exhibition match - which he loses
RAFAEL NADAL used a bizarre method to start his first match of 2019 at Indian Wells.
BNP Paribas Open: Nadal FAILS rock, paper, scissors challenge
The full tournament is not due to start until Thursday but Nadal participated in the inaugural Eisenhower Cup last night.
The Eisenhower Cup is played in a fast-paced 10-point tiebreak format, and the Spaniard took on young American Taylor Fritz in the opening round.
However, the usual coin-toss was scrapped for this exhibition event, which saw eight players compete over one night for the $150,000 (£114,313) prize fund.
Instead, Nadal opted for a game of rock, paper, scissors.
But he lost the first battle of the day, opting for paper against Fritz’s scissors.
The world No 2 quickly got his own back, progressing to the semi-finals with a 10-8 win.
Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka was next up and he knocked out the mini-tournament favourite with a 13-11 scoreline.
But another twist was soon to come as Canadian Milos Raonic snuck under the radar to beat Wawrinka in the final.
Earlier in the day the main Indian Wells draw was made. As the top two seeds in the tournament, Nadal and Novak Djokovic were placed in opposite halves.
But Roger Federer was drawn in the same half as Nadal meaning they could meet in the semi-finals.
The 32-year-old will likely start against Jared Donaldson, following a first-round bye.
Argentine Diego Schwartzman is a potential third-round opponent and a meeting with Daniil Medvedev could await in the fourth round.
RAFAEL NADAL - PROJECTED INDIAN WELLS DRAW (based on ATP rankings)
First Round - Bye
Second Round - Jared Donaldson
Third Round - Diego Schwartzman
Fourth Round - Daniil Medvedev
Quarter Final - John Isner
Semi Final - Roger Federer
Final - Novak Djokovic