3 months ago
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Rafael Nadal says helium has "full respect" for aged rival Novak Djokovic but tipped Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz to triumph Sunday's Australian Open final.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner, who retired from tennis successful 2024, is acceptable to be the blockbuster rubric lucifer successful Melbourne.
A two-time Australian Open champion himself, Nadal believes satellite fig 1 Alcaraz is the wide favourite, but would not beryllium amazed if 38-year-old Djokovic caused an upset.
"I deliberation the favourite is Carlos," Nadal told big broadcaster Channel Nine connected Saturday.
"He's young, helium has the vigor and he's successful his prime. But I mean, Novak is Novak. He's a precise peculiar player.
"I don't cognize if Novak has mislaid a last here. It's ever a situation and helium likes the challenges.
"(But) favourite is Carlos from my constituent of view."
Speaking separately to the Melbourne Age newspaper, Nadal said it was a "positive thing" to person idiosyncratic astatine Djokovic's property warring with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic stunned 24-year-old Sinner successful the semi-finals implicit 5 pugnacious sets to surge into his 11th Australian Open final. He has won each erstwhile 10.
"I truly judge that helium is present for 1 elemental crushed — due to the fact that if I don't get injured, astir apt I volition beryllium present playing too," said Nadal, who is 1 twelvemonth older than Djokovic.
"When you similar to bash this thing, if you are not injured and if you are not ace bushed mentally, wherefore wouldn't you beryllium here?
"I deliberation it's a affirmative illustration of commitment, of resilience.
"I mean, Novak, for evident reasons, he's not astatine his prime, but helium is inactive very, precise competitory astatine an property that is hard to beryllium precise competitive. So afloat respect."
Djokovic is bidding to go the oldest antheral to triumph the Australian Open. The 37-year-old Ken Rosewall won it successful 1972.
He is besides striving to yet triumph a grounds 25th Grand Slam and surpass Margaret Court, who is besides expected to beryllium watching successful Rod Laver Arena connected Sunday.
