Rafa and Novak ready for action

– Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will use the Kooyong Classic as a convenient emergency stop to gain much-needed match practice as the pair return from injury in time for the Australian Open.

Not since the glory days of Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras nearly two decades ago and more recently Roger Federer, has the longtime exhibition event hosted as distinguished a field.

The event will feature five of the world’s top 10, including ATP Finals runner-up and two-time champion David Goffin, Austrian Dominic Thiem, Croat

Melbourne

Marin Cilic and Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.

Under the ad-hoc rules, late additions Nadal and Djokovic will be playing practice matches.

World No 1 Nadal, who missed the warm-up Brisbane International last week with a knee injury, is set for just one appearance today when he faces France’s Richard Gasquet.

Djokovic, who hasn’t played competitively since a elbow problem forced him to quit Wimbledon in the quarterfinals in July, is due to play Thiem tomorrow.

The women’s draw, now into a second season after being introduced in 2017, includes new Hopman Cup champion Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, German Andrea Petkovic, Aussie teen Destanee Aiava and young Chinese star Wang Xinyu.

Pat Cash, the 1987 Australian Open winner who now coaches American CoCo Vandeweghe, serves as official ambassador for the event and said it would be good preparation for Djokovic and Nadal.

“Both had good preparation, they just suffered setbacks. But when those come within a couple of weeks from the Australian Open, it’s a bit of a worry.” –