Rafael Nadal wary of Alex de Minaur ambush

In the 12 months since then, de Minaur has improved. His ranking has hovered just outside the top 20 but in Nadal’s eyes, the 21-year-old is already capable of “amazing” tennis, which will make their match in the group stage one to watch.

“He is young and he’s improving every year. He does a lot of things amazing and I think it will be a tough battle for all of us, playing against a tough team such as Australia,” Nadal said. “Let’s see if we are able to get ready for it.”

De Minaur has started this year in style. He won his first tournament of the year in Turkey – beating world No. 16 David Goffin in the semi-finals – and was one of the lucky players who avoided being locked in hard quarantine for 14 days.

“Well, look, I started off the year really well. Now we’ve had a couple weeks during quarantine to kind of prepare and look at different aspects of my game to kind of tweak, get ready for theAustralian summer of tennis,” de Minaur said.

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“I’m very happy with the job we’ve put in as a team throughout the pre-season and now these last couple weeks. I feel like I’m ready.

“I’m really looking forward to going out there and stepping out on court and competing in Australia. It’s been a long time coming so I’m very pumped, that’s for sure.”

The possibility of another three-set thriller isn’t the only reason tennis fans should tune in to Nadal’s clash with de Minaur.

In his 20 years on tour, the Spaniard has made a habit of not playing in the week prior to a grand slam – but the scheduling of the second edition of the ATP Cup has left the world No. 2 with no choice but to suit up before the Australian Open kicks off a week on Monday.

That may mean Nadal only takes part in the group stage of the tournament, allowing his body time to recover before making a run at the major he has only won once, in 2009.

“It’s a little bit new and a strange situation but here I am. The same as the rest of the team. I’m trying my best in every moment and because we are a team – and a good team with great players – we have different options,” Nadal said.

“Everybody is ready to play and to play at a very competitive level. Let’s see what the captain decides and how the circumstances evolve over the next couple of days.”

Nadal did not wish to go into great detail about his experience in quarantine in Adelaide, turning his attention to the three weeks of tennis which lie ahead.

“It’s the moment to start talking about tennis. That’s why we came here – to play tennis and to try give the fans around the world and the fans in Australia a good show,” he said.

“And for some of the people who are suffering a lot at home – to try and entertain and to give good entertainment for them. The only way to make them happen is to go and try our best.

“For me, personally, my preparation has been positive. I have been able to practice around two hours per day in Adelaide. Some days a little bit more. And that’s it. I did the things that I had to do be ready. Now is the moment to start playing.”