Rafael Nadal of Spain dries himself during a practice session at the Australian Open 2014 tennis tournament in Melbourne January 12, 2014. REUTERS/David Gray
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal got a free pass into the second round of the Australian Open when Bernard Tomic retired injured on Tuesday, a welcome reprieve from stifling heat that led one player to describe conditions at Melbourne Park as "inhumane".
Australian Tomic, booed off Rod Laver Arena by his compatriots, blamed a groin injury for withdrawing having lost the opening set 6-4, leaving top seed Nadal to join fellow "Big Four" players Roger Federer and Andy Murray in securing his passage.
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