Rafael Nadal is again on the Australian Open and can watch his outdated rival, Novak Djokovic, face Carlos Alcaraz within the closing.
Rafael Nadal is again on the Australian Open for the primary time since he retired in late 2024 (Picture: Getty) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
It’s been a throwback Australian Open this yr. Roger Federer turned up forward of the match to play an exhibition match within the inaugural Opening Ceremony, Novak Djokovic has returned to the ultimate right here for the primary time since 2023, and now Rafael Nadal is again in Melbourne Park.
The Spanish celebrity, who lifted the trophy right here in 2009 and 2022, is a Kia ambassador, and the automobile producer additionally sponsors the Aussie Open. Nadal headed Down Underneath to mark Kia’s twenty fifth anniversary, and can participate within the AO Night time of Legends occasion on Sunday, forward of the lads’s singles closing.
It’s been greater than a yr since Nadal retired on the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, however certainly one of his best rivals, Djokovic, remains to be going sturdy and is thru to Sunday’s closing to face Carlos Alcaraz. That is the Serbian celebrity’s first Grand Slam closing since Wimbledon 2024, and his first Down Underneath in three years.
Aged 38, Djokovic clinched a heroic victory at 1.30am native time within the early hours of Saturday, beating Jannik Sinner 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 in 4 hours and 9 minutes. Sinner was the two-time reigning champion right here, and his final earlier loss got here within the fourth spherical in 2023.
Throughout his on-court interview, Djokovic mentioned he was “reminiscing” about his historic five-hour and 53-minute win over Nadal within the 2012 closing. And Nadal has now had his say on his outdated rival’s unbelievable win.
“I actually consider that he’s right here for one easy cause – as a result of if I don’t get injured, in all probability I will probably be right here taking part in, too. While you like to do that factor, if you’re not injured and if you’re not, I imply, tremendous drained mentally, why wouldn’t you be right here?” the 39-year-old Spaniard informed The Age.
“I believe it’s a constructive instance of dedication, of resilience… I imply, Novak, for apparent causes, he’s not at his prime, however he’s nonetheless very, very aggressive at an age that’s troublesome to be very aggressive. So, full respect.”
“If Novak wins, I will probably be joyful for him as a result of in some methods, it’s spectacular what he’s doing at this stage of his profession. So I will probably be joyful, it won’t be a drama for me. But when I’ve to help somebody, I really feel I’ve to help Carlos.”
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