Rafael Nadal confirmed to play Sydney tournament despite criticism of format
RAFAEL NADAL will play in the innovative FAST4 tournament in Sydney next month despite criticising the format after it was trialled in Italy.
The Next Gen ATP Finals invited the year’s top players under 21 to play in a week-long tournament that feature first-to-four-game sets, four-point games and no lets.
And the format will return to frontline tennis when Nadal joins Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov and Alexander Zverev in Sydney on January 8 for an exhibition tournament.
“Rafael Nadal is a superstar, not just in tennis but in international sport and it will be fantastic to welcome him back to Sydney to play FAST4 Tennis, a format that was pioneered here in the Harbour City,” said state minster for tourism and major events Adam Marshall
“He completes a stellar line-up for the event and I have no doubt fans will travel from far and wide to see these players in action and experience everything our city has to offer in summer.”
However, Nadal is something of a surprise inclusion in the line-up after he openly criticised the innovations after the November experiment.
“I don't think it's good for the entertainment that points are so fast,” Nadal said.
“If the game is limited to serves or two shots rally, I don't believe people will keep loving tennis.”
It was not the first time Nadal had disagreed with changes to the games rules.
The 31-year-old is known as one of the most methodical players on tour and is regularly warned by umpires for time violations.
But he will find himself under pressure at the first Grand Slam of the year: the first round of the Australian Open will use a strictly-enforced 25-second shot clock.
"I think [the shot clock] is not possible for a great show,” Nadal is quoted as saying of the rule.
“But if you don't want a great show, of course it's a great improvement."