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Rafael Nadal jets into Perth airport ahead of inaugural ATP Cup


Eyes on the prize: Rafael Nadal jets into Perth for the inaugural ATP Cup… after a brief honeymoon with wife Xisca Perelló

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal landed in Perth on Monday ahead of the inaugural ATP Cup.

The US Open champion, 33, marked his visit to Western Australia by greeting fans at the airport terminal.

Nadal looked every inch the professional sportsman in a Nike zip-up jacket, jeans and white sneakers.

Eyes on the prize! Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal landed in Perth, Australia, on Monday ahead of the inaugural ATP Cup

Eyes on the prize! Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal landed in Perth, Australia, on Monday ahead of the inaugural ATP Cup

Nadal is currently ranked world No. 1 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals.

He was seen taking selfies with fans and signing autographs while surrounded by police officers and security personnel. 

Nadal is due to play against tennis aces from Georgia, Uruguay and Japan in the first matches between January 4 and 8 at Perth’s RAC Arena. 

Centre of attention: He was seen taking selfies with fans and signing autographs while surrounded by police officers and security personnel

Centre of attention: He was seen taking selfies with fans and signing autographs while surrounded by police officers and security personnel 

Game, set, match: It's believed the Spaniard will use the tournament as an opportunity to fine-tune his court performance for the Australian Open, which begins January 20 in Melbourne

Game, set, match: It’s believed the Spaniard will use the tournament as an opportunity to fine-tune his court performance for the Australian Open, which begins January 20 in Melbourne

Having secured his nineteenth major win at the US Open in September, it’s likely Nadal will come face to face once again with world No.4 player Daniil Medvedev.

The inaugural ATP Cup has a ‎$15million prize. Beginning in Perth, Sydney will then host the quarter finals, semi finals and the final between January 9 and 12. 

It’s believed the Spaniard will use the tournament as an opportunity to fine-tune his court performance for the Australian Open, which begins January 20 in Melbourne.

Defeat: Nadal was defeated in his Men's Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019

Defeat: Nadal was defeated in his Men’s Singles Final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019

While Nadal’s wife, Maria Francisca ‘Xisca’ Perelló, was not seen arriving in Perth with him on Monday, it’s believed she will join him at a later date.

They began dating as teenagers, and one of the first matches Maria attended as Nadal’s girlfriend was at Wimbledon in 2007. 

The pair married in October, but only had a 24-hour honeymoon as Nadal needed to prepare for the ATP Finals in London in November. 

Newlyweds: While Nadal's wife, Maria Francisca 'Xisca' Perelló (left), was not seen arriving in Perth with him on Monday, it's believed she'll join him at a later date. Pictured in February 2018

Newlyweds: While Nadal’s wife, Maria Francisca ‘Xisca’ Perelló (left), was not seen arriving in Perth with him on Monday, it’s believed she’ll join him at a later date. Pictured in February 2018



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