After drawing level with Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slams last year, Rafael Nadal could once again capitalise on the Swiss’s absence from the Australian Open to become the most successful player in men’s tennis.
Since triumphing at Melbourne Park in 2018, Federer has failed to add to his Grand Slam haul – with the main obstacles being the brilliance of Nadal and world No 1 Novak Djokovic as well as a knee injury that has left him on the sidelines for over a year.
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With Nadal having swept up another four majors over the last three years, including taking his Roland Garros tally to a jaw-dropping 13 titles, he now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Federer on the Grand Slam totem pole.
But with age still on his side, many believe it is a question of “when” rather than “if” the Spaniard will eclipse the 39-year-old Swiss great on the list of all-time major winners.
Federer being out of the way does not hand Nadal a free path to glory in Melbourne, however.
Eight-times Australian Open winner Djokovic is once again the favourite with his stronger hard court pedigree.
Nadal will also be wary of 2020 runner-up Dominic Thiem, who has won their last two encounters, including their meeting in last year’s Melbourne Park quarterfinal.
Nadal is rarely in the right condition when the Australian Open comes around, frequently struggling to get in shape so soon after the end of a gruelling season. Despite owning 20 slams, Melbourne Park has proved to be his least successful major as his overflowing trophy collection only includes one Norman Brooks Challenge Cup.
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