Exclusive: Rafael Nadal’s form’a huge handicap’ going into Australian Open – Mats Wilander

Rafael Nadal’s recent form could be of some concern heading into the Australian Open according to Eurosport expert Mats Wilander.

Nadal arrives in Melbourne as defending champion, having claimed historic 21st major title last year after triumphing in a five-set epic over Daniil Medvedev.

Gunning for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam having also won the 2022 French Open, Nadal comes in as number one seed but has lost six of his last seven competitive matches stretching back to last summer’s US Open.

In 2023, the 36-year-old is 0-2 after losing to Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie at the United Cup and begins his Australian Open campaign against Britain’s Jack Draper.

Ahead of Nadal’s opener, Wilander believes that his recent poor run might inspire confidence in his opponents, although expects the Spaniard to find his rhythm the deeper he goes in the tournament.

“His form is a huge handicap in the first few rounds, because when you have lost six out of seven, and then you start thinking, ‘wow, I haven’t won two matches in a row since the US Open’, that is not good for your confidence, and it’s great for the confidence of the rest of the players.

“But if he starts winning the first few rounds and he’s being tested, then I think that once you get to a quarter-finals, it doesn’t matter if you won six out of seven because now you’re talking about the 22 Grand Slam champion and last year’s defending champion.”

Despite his struggles, Wilander believes the five-set format of Grand Slams plays into Nadal’s hands due to his years of experience competing in these events.

“In playing five sets, I think it is a little easier for the older guys, physically harder, but mentally a little bit easier, less pressure for Rafa in the first one hour of the matches, because you can be a little more relaxed. And I think that’s what he proves. And that’s the older player’s advantage they have.”

Nadal’s 2022 win saw him reach 21 Grand Slam wins ahead of rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with all three men level on 20 beforehand.

His victory in Paris saw him extend his lead and Federer’s subsequent retirement left it to Nadal and Djokovic to battle for men’s tennis supremacy.

The Serb – who missed last year’s Australian Open due to his vaccination status – picked up his 21st title at Wimbledon and will be looking to triumph in Melbourne for the tenth time as well as draw level with Nadal.

Wilander is thrilled at the prospect of the race between the two men continuing this year but warns that Djokovic could have the edge long term.

“If Rafa wins, that will be big as he then goes into his favourite tournament. If Djokovic wins, they’re both on 22 and the race is back on, 100%. So, it’s obviously very important for Novak to win this tournament, but it’s most probably more important for me if Rafa wins because Rafa is not going to have that many chances in the next two, three years.

“I think Novak has a chance in every Grand Slam every year for the next two or three years. I think Novak can win one more, or he can win six or seven more, and I don’t think Rafa can win six or seven more. I think he can win two, maybe three.

“I think that the race is just open right now and that to me it’s very important for the history of the sport.”

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