'My wife is here': The Rafa Nadal answer that melted Australian Open fans' hearts
Rafael Nadal was clinical in his first round match against Bolivian Hugo Dellien for the loss of only five games but faced another hurdle with a tricky question in the post-match interview.
The world No.1 won the first five games and then the last eight in a 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 triumph on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.
'I PITY YOU’: Italian firebrand drags Rafa Nadal into insane Aus Open meltdown
‘ALL CLASS’: Ash Barty's brilliant act for embarrassed ball girl
But tennis great, turned commentator, Jim Courier asked Nadal what his proudest moment was in 2019 after listing off his insane achievements.
This included two Grand Slams, the French and US Open, led his nation to Davis Cup success and finished World No.1.
A world No. 1 ranking, two Slam titles and Davis Cup.
None of those took the top spot in 2019 for @RafaelNadal? 🤔#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/duGkeYK0xu— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2020
But Nadal only had one answer when asked by Courier and sheepishly looked up to his player box.
“Well, the wedding. My wife is here,” Nadal said as the crowd burst into laughter.
‘YOU TRIED’: Serena's blunt response to 'absurd' Meghan Markle question
“I need to take care with my answers now. I had a very special year, no?
“All the results, all the experiences that I went through all around the world have been unforgettable.”
Nadal starts off strong
After a gruelling start to the season, featuring eight matches at the ATP Cup in nine days, Nadal was delighted to progress without dropping a set.
"It's been a positive start. What you want in the first round is to win - and in straight sets is better," said the Spaniard, champion at Melbourne Park in 2009 and a finalist four more times since.
"I finished late in the season at Davis Cup and started with a very demanding competition at ATP Cup.
"Last week I started slower and then increased the intensity later in the week to try to be competitive here."
The reigning French and US Open champion plays either Federico Delbonis or Joao Sousa next on Wednesday in his quest for a second title in Melbourne.
With AAP