World number one Novak Djokovic believes Rafael Nadal will be
competitive at next month's Australian Open, despite his injury absence.
The Spaniard, 37, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, is set to make his
comeback in Brisbane this weekend ahead of the first tennis major of the year.
His last match was a second-round loss to American Mackenzie McDonald at
the Australian Open in January.
The 2024 edition of that tournament begins on 14 January in Melbourne.
"I always expect him [Nadal] to play at his best, to be honest," said Djokovic, 36, who won three Grand Slams in 2023 to reach a record 24 for
his career and overtake Nadal.
"Many times they've signed him out, they've done that with me as well.
But we've proved them wrong.
"He's not a kind of a player that will come back to the tour just to
play - let's say - on a medium level, play a few matches.
"He wants to win titles, he wants to be the best, that's why he is who
he is: a legend of our sport. I'm sure that his training and preparation
is done with an intention to win a Grand Slam."
Nadal has said that 2024 is likely to be his final season on tour, after needing surgery on a hip injury and slipping down to 670th in the world rankings.
He won the Australian Open in 2009 and 2022 and is a record 14-time
champion at the French Open.
World number two Carlos Alcaraz, who played Djokovic in an exhibition
match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, also believes his compatriot
is ready for action.
"I saw some videos of him practising, he's 100%," said 20-year-old Alcaraz.
"I hear from other players that they practised with Rafa in these past
weeks and they said that he's going to return to his good level. His top level.
"I think he's ready for great things this year as well."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/67826122
Awesome to see Rafa back. 15 RG titles possible?
On 3/01/2024 4:40 pm, TT wrote:
World number one Novak Djokovic believes Rafael Nadal will be
competitive at next month's Australian Open, despite his injury absence.
The Spaniard, 37, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, is set to make his
comeback in Brisbane this weekend ahead of the first tennis major of
the year.
His last match was a second-round loss to American Mackenzie McDonald
at the Australian Open in January.
The 2024 edition of that tournament begins on 14 January in Melbourne.
"I always expect him [Nadal] to play at his best, to be honest," said
Djokovic, 36, who won three Grand Slams in 2023 to reach a record 24
for his career and overtake Nadal.
"Many times they've signed him out, they've done that with me as well.
But we've proved them wrong.
"He's not a kind of a player that will come back to the tour just to
play - let's say - on a medium level, play a few matches.
"He wants to win titles, he wants to be the best, that's why he is who
he is: a legend of our sport. I'm sure that his training and
preparation is done with an intention to win a Grand Slam."
Nadal has said that 2024 is likely to be his final season on tour,
after needing surgery on a hip injury and slipping down to 670th in
the world rankings.
He won the Australian Open in 2009 and 2022 and is a record 14-time
champion at the French Open.
World number two Carlos Alcaraz, who played Djokovic in an exhibition
match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, also believes his
compatriot is ready for action.
"I saw some videos of him practising, he's 100%," said 20-year-old
Alcaraz.
"I hear from other players that they practised with Rafa in these past
weeks and they said that he's going to return to his good level. His
top level.
"I think he's ready for great things this year as well."
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/67826122
Awesome to see Rafa back. 15 RG titles possible?
Yes very possible. Right now I'd say he could be 3rd fave behind Carlos
and Novak for FO, but that could change once we see some clay form
leading in. I have a feeling Carlos and Sinner will sweep the slams
this year, but I've lost count how many times I've doubted Novak and
he's proven me wrong every time lol. If Carlos can play the same level
at FO as he did last year he'll win imo. To my eye he looked stronger
than Novak in the semis just before the cramps and I thought he'd let
rip and win in 4, but that's part of the game so no excuse. If they
meet again this yr at FO I can't see Novak repeating at age 37, but will
be fun to watch : )
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