Rafael Nadal Reveals Who he Will Support Between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open Final
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic to meet for the 10th time on tour at the 2026 Australian Open final.
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Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (via X/Jose Morgado, CNN)
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Rafael Nadal has backed Carlos Alcaraz to beat Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday (February 1). The tennis legend will be in Melbourne Park to watch his fellow compatriot Alcaraz take on the 24-time Grand Slam champion at the Rod Laver Arena. It will be Nadal’s first time in Melbourne since 2023.
Djokovic is on course to make history by becoming the oldest winner of the Australian Open, beating Ken Rosewall’s record of 37 years old in 1972. He’s also endeavouring to win his 25th Grand Slam, which will make him the player with the highest number of major titles in both the women’s and men’s circuits in the Open Era.
The 38-year-old found himself in an incredible position in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, when he faced Jannik Sinner. He showed his impressive ability to manage the court time and force Sinner deep into his baseline. He claimed the win 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in almost four hours to reach his first Australian Open final since 2023.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, grew up idolizing Nadal and has a date with history, as he is looking to become the youngest men’s player to win all four Grand Slams on tour. He has won six major titles in his career. Also, this is the first time that he’s in the final of the Australian Open, having exited in the quarter-finals in 2024 and 2025.
With Djokovic and Alcaraz on course to make history at Melbourne Park, only one of them will leave with the title on Sunday. During an interview with ABC Sports via The Age, Nadal pointed out that he has mixed feelings about the match as he respects what Djokovic has done in the sport, but hopes that Alcaraz will win the Australian Open:
Honestly, I have mixed feelings because my story with Novak is spectacular. We have competed at the highest level for many years and I wish him the best. Honestly, if he won, I would be very happy for him. On the other hand, Carlos is my compatriot and we have shared important things at the Olympic Games, I have to support him. In any case, there will be no drama for me no matter what happens. But if I have to support someone, I feel I have to support Carlos.
Djokovic has already won the Australian Open 10 times in his career, including an epic five-set victory against Nadal in 2012, a match that lasted nearly six hours at the Rod Laver Arena. Should he win the Melbourne Grand Slam on Sunday (February 1), he will take his tally to 11 Australian Open titles.
Rafael Nadal praises Novak Djokovic for reaching the final of the Australian Open
Several former players noted before the Australian Open that Novak Djokovic was unlikely to win the championship. Some even doubted whether he would reach a Grand Slam final again in his career. But the 38-year-old proved his doubters wrong on Friday (January 30) after producing an electric performance against Jannik Sinner.
The former World No.1 won the match in five sets to earn his place in the final. During the aforementioned interview, Rafael Nadal, his former rival, pointed out that Djokovic’s love for the sport has made him push himself beyond limits against the likes of Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, which has seen him reach his first Slam final in nearly two years:
I really believe that he [Djokovic] 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? I think it’s a positive example of commitment, of resilience…
Djokovic was said to have been lucky to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open when his quarter-finals opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired while up two sets. The Serbian legend was nowhere near his best level on the court that day, but that might have helped him to get his game together before facing Sinner.
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