The first Grand Slam of the year is underway and there is a sense of excitement for tennis fans. Predictions are being made and tickets are being booked. The Australian Open is finally here, and we cannot wait for exhilarating tennis action.
One of the major attractions of the tournament is the comeback of ‘Fedal’. Both look ready for the tournament and it would be interesting to see how they handle their respective draws.
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Rafael Nadal had a mixed 2016. While he won at Monte Carlo for a record 9th time and created history by winning the doubles gold at the Olympics, his season was marred by injuries. He is back now and it seems that he might even go all the way in Melbourne this time around.
Here are five reasons why Rafael Nadal has a good chance of winning the Australian Open:
#1 Return of confidence
More than his physical ailments, it’s been Rafa’s mental demons that have pulled him down over the years. His belief and self-confidence have left him at crucial moments which has been one of the key reasons for many of his defeats.
This time around, the Spaniard is not only ready but also confident. The man from Spain is on a mission and once he has set his mind, heart and soul into achieving something, nothing can stop him from doing it.
“If I am here, it is because I believe. I can fight for the things that really motivate me,” said Nadal at his pre-Australian Open press conference. He was calm, his words came out easy and his disposition showed confidence.
That is the Nadal we like to see. That is the Nadal who creates an impact. That is the Nadal who won 14 Grand Slams.
#2 The Carlos-Toni concoction
Two Spanish world numbers 1s are better than one. The addition of Carlos Moya to Rafael Nadal’s coaching team seems like a winner from all angles.
With Toni Nadal already on the Spaniard’s side since the beginning of his career, the calm influence of Moya is sure to add to Nadal’s game. When he will look for toughness, his uncle would be ready to guide him and when he will need an arm around the shoulder, Moya will be the man to go to.
While Toni has been an excellent coach to Nadal throughout the years, his rigorous training methods might’ve created a sense of insecurity deep in the Spanish player’s thought process. Moya being by his side will do a great deal in pushing aside those insecurities.
“Uncle Toni terrified me but without him, I would be nothing,” Nadal once said. Toni once said that he used to make Nadal practice on bad courts with bad balls to teach him to not rely on top quality accessories to get the job done.
The unique blend of Toni’s vigour and Moya’s composure could be the ideal amalgamation to catalyse Nadal’s success at the Australian Open. When Nadal will look for strength, Uncle Toni will be present in the box. When Nadal will look for assurance, Moya will be there as well.
#3 The difficult draw
While a difficult draw might seem like a disadvantage to many players, it could be a boon for Rafael Nadal. He will potentially face Alexander Zverev in the third round itself, and could face the world no. 3, Milos Raonic as early as the 4th round. His semifinal clash will most probably be against 6-time Australian Open champion, Novak Djokovic.
This draw might seem like a nightmare on paper, but could be a blessing in disguise for Nadal. Over the past few years, he has had a history of losing to completely unexpected opponents. The “Rafa’s Curse” does huge rounds on social media every time Nadal’s victor loses in the next round.
Now that Nadal has a tough draw from the very beginning of the tournament, he will be alert and ready at all times. That’s the best thing that a Nadal fan can hope for. He has no time to be complacent and has to showcase his best tennis from the word go.
An important aspect about Nadal’s past Grand Slam victories was that he got better as he went deeper in the tournaments. The tough draw is sure to polish him up for some gruelling tennis in the later stages at Melbourne.
#4 2nd Career Grand Slam motivation
The fact that winning the Australian Open for the second time means a double career Grand Slam for him will make the Spaniard work doubly hard to try and achieve it.
After the 2009 glory, the world no. 9 hasn’t been able to clinch the coveted trophy again. In 2012, he lost an epic 5-hour 53-minute tussle with Novak Djokovic in the finals of the tournament. In 2014, he faced Stanislas Wawrinka who stunned him to win the first Grand Slam of his career.
This year might be Nadal’s best chance to add the 2nd career Grand Slam to his list of achievements. “If I am able to compete well from the beginning, you never know what can happen.”
If Nadal has so much confidence, we can’t we have it too?
#5 Momentum into the tournament
Every top player has an arsenal of powerful backhands, forehands, serves and mental strength. An integral factor that makes one player win over the other is momentum. Momentum might just be the most important thing in any sport.
Nadal has momentum going into the Australian Open.
He came back from an injury in the best possible fashion by winning the Mubadala Tennis Championship at the end of 2016. He defeated Tomas Berdych, Raonic and David Goffin en route to lifting the trophy for the 4th time.
Nadal began 2017 well by reaching the semis at the Sydney International. It clearly shows that he is ready to compete at the Australian Open and has the capability of bringing his best game when clashing with big opponents.
“I have been practising well and enjoying every practice. I feel ready for the competition.”
The 30-year-old is ready, are you?
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here
