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'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.

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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.

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.

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“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.”

Rafael Nadal putting on his hat ahead of an interview with Jim Courier.
Rafael Nadal with Jim Courier after his first round match against Hugo Dellien of Bolivia on day two of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 21, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia.(Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

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