Justine Henin believes Rafael Nadal can surprise everyone at the 2023 Australian Open as he did last year

The former World No.1 believes Novak Djokovic's presence should not distract from Nadal's own good performances at the Australian Open


Justine Henin believes Rafael Nadal can surprise everyone at the 2023 Australian Open as he did last year

Justine Henin and Rafael Nadal

Former World No.1 Justine Henin believes that top seed Rafael Nadal should not be underestimated as a contender for the Australian Open due to Novak Djokovic’s presence. Henin expects Nadal to surprise everyone as he did last year and deliver brilliant performances as he did last year before injuries took a toll on him.

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The 7-time Grand Slam champion believes that despite the questions being asked of Nadal, she thinks he will find the resources to deliver big performances at a major as he has done previously. “Will Rafael Nadal continue to surprise us? I say that positively because it’s true that a year ago, no one imagined at the start of the season what he would achieve in Australia and then the rest of the season until Roland-Garros,” she said.

“Today, everyone is asking a lot of questions about Rafael Nadal, who keeps finding resources year after year,” Henin stated. “Rafa has said he is not in a rebuilding phase and we should not exaggerate either, but he had a difficult end of the season as he became a father. Last year, he surprised us. Will he be able to do it again when we know that it is the Grand Slam that has always been the most challenging for him? He did it last year.”

World No.2 Rafael Nadal had a brilliant 2022. He beat all odds to win the Australian Open in a five-set comeback thriller against Daniil Medvedev. The win took his Grand Slam title tally to 21, and he became the first men’s player to win that many. He repeated his heroics at the French Open as he picked up the 14th French Open title of his career in Paris. These results surprised many fans and pundits who had predicted Nadal’s fall from the top end of tennis and have been continuously proved wrong by the legend.

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Nadal had a bittersweet end to the year. He became a father in October but could not play many tournaments in the year’s second half due to injuries and his new responsibilities. Nadal will be playing his first tournament in front of his baby in Melbourne. The veteran’s son and wife will cheer him on at the Australian Open. The presence of his family will further motivate Nadal to retain his title.

Related: REVEALED: Rafael Nadal’s path to Grand Slam record-extending Australian Open title

Rafael Nadal’s tricky draw at the 2023 Australian Open

Rafael Nadal

Nadal landed a tough draw at the Australian Open. The Spaniard enters the tournament as the first seed after World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz withdrew. But things won’t be getting easier for him.

Nadal will face English youngster Jack Draper in the first round. Victory would pit him against Next Gen ATP Finals champion Brandon Nakashima. The match could be tricky for the Spaniard. If he makes it to that stage, last year’s finalist Daniil Medvedev could be awaiting. The two would be on track to meet in the quarter-finals.

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Revenge is added motivation for last year’s silver medalist Medvedev. Nadal is on the opposite half to Novak Djokovic in the draw. The two could meet in their 19th meeting in a Grand Slam final. Nadal will aim to get to that stage and extend his record to 12-7 in these matches.

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