Defending champion Rafael Nadal admitted Saturday he felt weak heading into the Australian Open after two straight defeats within the build-up and stated that Novak Djokovic was clear favorite.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner crashed in his season-opening match on the blended groups United Cup in Sydney to Twelfth-ranked Cameron Norrie after which once more to Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
Towards the Australian, the Spaniard dropped six consecutive video games after main by a set and 1-0.
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The 36-year-old high seed faces a testing first-round conflict at Melbourne Park on Monday in opposition to rising 21-year-old Briton Jack Draper, who reached the Adelaide semi-finals this week.
“In all probability one of many hardest first rounds doable… younger, highly effective, rising very, very quick within the rankings, enjoying properly,” he stated.
“An enormous problem for me firstly to start out the event. Let’s see. I’m right here to only give myself an opportunity. I do know he’s enjoying properly.”
Nadal has misplaced six of his final seven matches stretching again to defeat to Frances Tiafoe within the final 16 on the US Open.
Requested if he felt weak, the defending champion admitted: “In fact, undoubtedly.
“I’ve been shedding greater than regular, that’s a part of the enterprise. Simply settle for the state of affairs. I feel I’m humble sufficient to just accept that state of affairs and simply work with what I’ve at the moment.
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“I must construct once more all this momentum. I must construct once more this confidence with myself with victories. But it surely’s true that I’ve been shedding greater than regular.”
Nadal, who just lately grew to become a father, swept previous Russian Daniil Medvedev to win the Australian Open and a twenty first Grand Slam title final 12 months in an epic five-setter.
That victory got here after arch-rival and nine-time Australian Open winner Djokovic was detained and deported forward of the event after refusing to get vaccinated for Covid-19.
The Serbian star, trying to equal Nadal’s record-breaking 22 Slam titles, is again this 12 months and in high type after profitable the Adelaide Worldwide I occasion final week.
That adopted one other ATP Finals crown in late 2022.
‘Djokovic favorite’
Nadal informed Spanish reporters that his long-time rival was the clear favorite.
“Djokovic appears to be very properly ready. He bought nice outcomes on the finish of the 12 months, he has additionally began the 12 months profitable. It’s a event that has all the time been good to him,” he stated.
“If we discuss favourites, on Saturday earlier than the beginning of the event, there is no such thing as a doubt that he’s the highest favorite to win the title.
“However tournaments aren’t gained on the Saturday earlier than, it’s a must to work for 2 weeks, though he has proven that he is aware of tips on how to do it very properly.
“If he wins, we’ll congratulate him, he can have executed one thing historic, and that’s it. My life will not be going to alter.”
Regardless of shedding his solely two matches this 12 months, Nadal insisted he was bettering by the day and had practised extra in the previous couple of weeks than ever earlier than.
“My private momentum will not be unhealthy, I inform you. I’m good and glad. I’m practising properly,” he stated.
“I really feel sooner within the legs. I really feel I’m enjoying higher with extra confidence,” he added.
“The final three weeks of preparation right here have been very optimistic from my perspective.”
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