Nadal shares verdict on Djokovic reaching Aus Open – Sports News
Novak Djokovic beat two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner to return to the Australian Open last (Image: Getty)
This yr’s Australian Open has felt like a journey down reminiscence lane. Roger Federer made a particular look earlier than the event kicked off, taking part in an exhibition match during the first-ever Opening Ceremony.
Novak Djokovic has fought his means back to the ultimate for the primary time since 2023, and now Rafael Nadal has returned to Melbourne Park.
The Spanish legend, who claimed victory right here in 2009 and 2022, serves as a Kia ambassador, with the automaker additionally backing the Australian Open. Nadal traveled to Australia to have a good time Kia’s 25-year milestone and can take part within the AO Night of Legends occasion on Sunday, simply earlier than the lads’s singles championship match.
It’s been over a yr since Nadal hung up his racket on the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, but one of his fiercest rivals, Djokovic, continues to dominate and has superior to Sunday’s last in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz. This marks the Serbian champion’s first Grand Slam last look since Wimbledon 2024 and his first in Australia in three years.
At 38 years previous, Djokovic secured a dramatic victory at 1:30 a. m. native time early Saturday morning, defeating Jannik Sinner 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 in a grueling four-hour and nine-minute battle. Sinner had gained the title right here twice in a row, along with his most up-to-date defeat coming within the fourth spherical back in 2023.
Rafael Nadal is back on the Australian Open for the primary time since he retired in late 2024 (Image: Getty)
Following his triumph, Djokovic informed the group he was “reminiscing” about his epic five-hour and 53-minute victory over Nadal within the 2012 last. Now, Nadal has weighed in on his former rival’s outstanding achievement.
“I really believe that he is here for one simple reason – because if I don’t get injured, probably I will be here playing, too. When you like to do this thing, if you are not injured and if you are not, I mean, super tired mentally, why wouldn’t you be here?” the 39-year-old Spaniard informed The Age.
“I think it’s a positive example of commitment, of resilience… I mean, Novak, for obvious reasons, he’s not at his prime, but he is still very, very competitive at an age that is difficult to be very competitive. So, full respect.”
That stated, Nadal is throwing his help behind his fellow Spaniard, Alcaraz, for Sunday’s last. The 22 yr previous additionally required 5 units to beat Alexander Zverev on Friday, prevailing 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-7 7-5 in a marathon 5 hours and 27 minutes – marking the longest semi-final within the event’s historical past.
Nadal, who has claimed 22 Grand Slam titles, thinks Alcaraz has youth on his aspect in relation to bouncing back. He’d additionally desire to see his fellow countryman, and doubles companion on the 2024 Olympics, take home the trophy.
“I’m sure he will recover even if it has been a long battle, the other semi-final wasn’t a short battle either. I think Carlos has more possibilities of recovering almost better than Novak,” the 39 yr previous stated.
“If Novak wins, I will be happy for him because in some ways, it is spectacular what he’s doing at this stage of his career. So I will be happy, it will not be a drama for me. But if I have to support someone, I feel I have to support Carlos.”
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