A new format called Fast4, which some have dubbed disco tennis, was again on display yesterday with a recovering Rafael Nadal happy to be on the dance floor
Rafael Nadal in action yesterday
Melbourne: A new format called Fast4, which some have dubbed disco tennis, was again on display yesterday with a recovering Rafael Nadal happy to be on the dance floor.
Rafael Nadal in action yesterday
The occasion was the official opening of the newly renovated Margaret Court Arena that will give the Australian Open, which starts on Monday, its third stadium with a retractable roof.
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Yesterday, 7,500 fans crammed into the arena for a benefit night for the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which assists socially disadvantaged youth.
It also showcased the Australian-developed Fast4, which features major rule variations to speed up the action for players and fans — no advantage scoring, lets are played, and the first to win four games wins the set. Nadal's 4-1 win against an Australian junior lasted only 17 minutes.
The often no-nonsense Nadal, introduced to the crowd through a haze of dry-ice smoke and loud music, clearly enjoyed the new format.
Jokes and selfies
He joked with the spectators on numerous occasions and once playfully hit a ball into the crowd when someone interrupted him during a serve. He later took a few "selfies" with his mobile phone.
Earlier yesterday, Nadal had a training session at Melbourne Park, indicating he might be overcoming some recent health and injury issues.
Nadal was sidelined for three months with a right wrist injury after Wimbledon.
He briefly returned in Beijing in late September but then had appendix surgery in early November, which he is still recovering from, saying last week in Qatar that he was far from 100 percent.
On Wednesday night, he also played a set against former Australian player Mark Philippoussis, winning 4-1 in 15 minutes.
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