Rafael Nadal is not happy as floodlights come on during day match with Jack Draper at Australian Open
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Updated 16/01/2023 at 10:29 GMT
Having earlier had to complain to the umpire after a ball kid took his favourite racquet away by mistake to give to the stringer, Rafael Nadal had to approach the chair once more at the start of the fourth set of his opening Australian Open match against Jack Draper because of the floodlights coming on. The lights were not required with it being a day match, and both players were baffled.
Nadal is not impressed with the floodlights being turned on at Australian Open
Rafael Nadal was not happy as he complained to the umpire over the floodlights coming on during his at the Australian Open.
The top seed and reigning champion was left baffled by the lights coming on midway through his opening encounter on Rod Laver Arena and protested to the umpire about the situation.
It came at the start of the fourth set with Nadal having taken the third 6-4 to reassert his authority on the match after an impressive fight back from the rising British star Draper.
"Now it is bothering me a lot," Nadal said to the umpire while pointing up to the floodlights.
"The combination of lights."
Both players made their unhappiness with the lights known at the start of the fourth set and Nadal made the point again to the umpire at 15-15 on his own serve.
"The floodlights have come on, and he is struggling," Eurosport commentator Guy McCrea noted.
"They automatically came on and both players have complained about it. There are a lot of them, as well!"
It certainly was a strange situation during the day with the sunshine not exactly lacking in Melbourne.
It was not the only strange occurrence in the match for Nadal, who earlier had to complain to the umpire after a ball kid took away his favourite racquet by mistake to have it re-strung.
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Watch bizarre moment Nadal can't find his favourite racquet during match
Nadal is aiming to defend the title he won so superbly and unexpectedly last year at Melbourne Park - and to extend his record tally of 22 Grand Slam singles crowns.
Nadal later won through to the second round with a 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1 victory.
The defending champion was made to work had for the win in the early exchanges, but as the Brit appeared to be overcome by injury, Nadal was able to get through without too much difficulty in the end.
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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk.
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