Nadal loses first match of 2018 but insists knee is ‘fine’ in Australian Open build-up

World No 1 Rafael Nadal lost his first match of the year 6-4, 7-5 to Richard Gasquet at the Kooyong Classic, but said he was happy after his troublesome knee held up “fine”.

Nadal’s knee injury hampered the end of his 2017 season and forced him to skip last week’s Brisbane International, but he was able to give it a workout at the non-tour event in Melbourne.

Though he lost in straight sets, the Spaniard said he would keep working hard until the start of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park. “I”m very happy to be back in Australia,” he said. “I had a heavy year in 2017 and I started my preparation later than usual.

“But I’ve arrived in plenty of time. It’s great to get the feeling once again of playing a match.

“This was a good test for me after some good training, that’s the most important thing.”

The 16-time grand slam winner was far from his best in the exhibition encounter against a player he has beaten 15-0 on the ATP Tour in a rivalry dating back to junior days.

Nadal, 31, heads the entry list for the Australian Open and said he will be ready for the first round.

“The knee is fine. I’m here. If I was not feeling good I would not be here. I’ll train hard over the next few days for the Australian Open, I will be ready.”

Nadal is only playing the one match at Kooyong, but is also scheduled to turn out for a Tie Break Tens exhibition tournament at Melbourne Park today.

Gasquet, who missed Kooyong last year through illness and injury, was happy to take the win. “It’s always a pleasure to play Rafa. I hope to beat him one day on the ATP before retiring. He’s a friend of mine and it’s great to play him,” he said.

“I’m happy with how I’m playing after a test against Rafa, who along with Federer is the best in history.”

Gasquet took the opening set, relying on a single break for 5-4 before serving it out.

The Frenchman found himself in more of a battle in the second set despite going up a double break for 3-0.

A defiant Nadal showed some of his classic form in closing the gap to 3-3.

But the Frenchman finally broke for 6-5 and claimed victory with a smash winner.