Australian Open countdown: Rafael Nadal
With four days to go until the start of the Melbourne Park action, we profile the fourth favourite for the title
Thursday 15 January 2015 18:42, UK
Rafael Nadal carries modest expectations into the Australian Open as he looks to prove he has regained both form and fitness in time.
The 2009 champion was plagued by injury in the second half of 2014, first being sidelined by a wrist injury and then requiring surgery for appendicitis.
Poor results occurred either side of those setbacks, with world no 121 Michael Berrer the latest to upset the ‘King of Clay’ in his solitary tour-level singles match of 2015.
The Spaniard has played exhibition events either side of that loss, being hammered by Andy Murray and beating Stanislas Wawrinka in Abu Dhabi before overcoming Mark Philippoussis and Fernando Verdasco in the Fast4 Tennis event.
He also won the doubles title in Doha with Juan Monaco, although that has done little to impress the bookies – with Sky Bet making him 15/2 fourth favourite.
It’s a far cry from last year’s event, when Nadal arrived on the back of a stunning 2013, having dominated the hard-courts following his previous return from injury, winning three Masters titles and the US Open on supposedly his lesser-favoured surface.
While a recent susceptibility to shock losses serves against the 28-year-old, his record at the business end of Grand Slams is second to none.
Since 2008, he has lost just two out of 18 quarter-finals and three of 16 final-four showdowns. His record in finals is also remarkable, losing just six of 19.
If fit and able to build up confidence, Nadal is a contender at any event.
He said…
“It would be better if I had a few more matches but in the end that's what there is and the important thing for me is that I am back and healthy and competitive again,” he told Australian press.
"I've got to try my best in the first round, if I am able to win a couple of matches then you don't know."
Melbourne Park record
Had it not been for a back problem at the worst possible time, Nadal could well have been returning to Melbourne as reigning champion.
The Spaniard suffered the injury in the warm up to his final showdown with Wawrinka, whom he had beaten in all of their last 12 meetings without dropping a single set.
The Australian Open is the only major event that Nadal has not won multiple times, also losing in the 2012 final and suffering quarter-final losses in 2010 and 2011.
He was forced to sit out the 2013 edition as a virus delayed his comeback from tendonitis, although it might be considered a blessing in disguise, having gone on to produce one of sport’s greatest ever comebacks following the additional recuperation time.
“Nadal certainly has his doubters heading into the Australian Open, more so for his condition than ability.
“He demands so much from his body and his robust style of play seems to be resulting in more and more injuries, which we have to factor into his price.
“He is far less susceptible to an upset over the five-set format, however, making the quarter-finals or better in all majors entered since 2008 with exception to Wimbledon, so perhaps we’re underestimating him.
“There’s no doubt that he has the quality to win the event, as he probably would have last year had it not been for the back problem, and his price will plummet if he navigates through the first week without any problems.“
