Former three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport feels a confident Rafael Nadal definitely has a shot at winning the Australian Open.
Nadal, 36, started his 2023 season with back-to-back losses at the United Cup.
But Nadal wasn’t bothered by injuries and later said he was still happy with his preparation and shape.
Since Nadal is clearly in shape and healthy, Davenport feels the key for Nadal at the Australian Open could be getting through the first week.
If Nadal reaches the second week and raises his confidence levels, Davenport believes he would definitely be a strong contender for the title.
Davenport on Nadal: We know he has the ability
“I think that he needs a good first week to really give him that kind of extra push and confidence to get through the second week. We all know he can do it, right? We all know that he has the ability. Looks like physically he’s doing better, doesn’t have the ab issue. Hopefully that stays away. His foot seems to be okay. I think he needs a couple of matches where he plays really well early on in Melbourne, doesn’t get too fatigued out there, doesn’t get injured, gets that confidence up. If he’s able to enter the second week with that kind of belief, then look out. Everybody knows that,” Davenport said on Tennis Channel.
After missing almost the entire second half of the 2021 season due to a foot injury, Nadal wasn’t really given much of a chance to win the 2022 Australian Open title.
But Nadal proved the doubters wrong and ended up winning his second Australian Open title.
Now, Nadal is again facing doubts.
After a not-so-impressive end to the 2022 season, Nadal owns a 0-2 record at the start of the 2023 season.
Nadal is again facing doubts but many also believe that the Spaniard has proved that he is the most dangerous when counted out.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login