Australian Open 2017: 5 players who can surprise with their performance

#2 Rafael Nadal

Nadal started the season with a title at the Mubadala Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi

"If I didn't believe I could win, I would have been home fishing." These are the words Nadal has said heading into his Australian Open campaign. Even though the Spaniard might not have been in the best of forms lately, one can never write him off.

His 2016 season was plagued by injuries, but 2017 already promises to be better. Nadal started the season with a title at the Mubadala Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi, defeating the likes of Milos Raonic and Tomas Berdych on his way to the title.

While one might argue that it was not a big event, Nadal looked in prime touch. A few of the shots that he hit on the dead run, gave fan glimpses of the old Rafa. And with a player as great as Nadal, it's the winning feeling that matters. If the confidence is there, he can rattle any opposition. And that title at Abu Dhabi would have given him exactly that.

Also, for the first time ever, Nadal has decided to make changes to his coaching team. Nadal, who has been coached by uncle Toni Nadal ever since he held a racquet, has roped in former Grand Slam champion Carlos Moya to help him with his game, who is working alongside Toni.

This clearly shows how eager Rafa is to win big titles again, and we might just see that happening in Australia in a couple of weeks' time.