The Rafael Nadal phenomenon - suddenly the superstar is a favorite

Sometimes even a legend like Rafael Nadal experiences new things on the tennis court.

like in Round of 16 against Adrian Mannarino. For 28 minutes, the two professionals exchanged blows in the tie-break of the first set, then Nadal broke out. The record Grand Slam champion celebrated the decisive point to 16:14 like a tournament win.

By then it was clear: Nadal is back – with everything that goes with it.

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“When the adrenaline shoots up, you have a better chance of being successful,” said the Mallorcan in an interview with Eurosport. The superstar also wants that in the quarterfinals against Zverev conqueror Denis Shapovalov (Tuesday from 4:00 a.m. live on TV at Eurosport) implemented.

16:14! Insane tiebreak between Nadal and Mannarino

However, he should refrain from looking at the Australian Open statistics. In his 13 quarter-finals in Melbourne so far, Nadal has lost seven times, including in the past two years.

In general, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season is not a sure-fire success for the Spaniard. There were four defeats in five finals, only in 2009 was Nadal able to take home the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.

Becker: “Nadal and Medvedev top favourites”

13 years later, the chances are suddenly much better than expected that the second title at Melbourne Park could work out. Boris Becker sees it that way too. The two-time Australian Open champion already emphasized a few days later that “Nadal is not a dark horse”. Anyone who claims otherwise has “no idea about tennis”.

Becker is now even going one step further. “The top favorites for me are now Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev,” said Germany’s tennis legend at Eurosport. “What I like best is the Spaniard and how he’s been going through the tournament so far.”

Becker is committed: These are the two top favorites now

In fact, the veteran convinced and only gave up a set in the first four rounds in the endurance test against Karen Khachanov. “Things have undoubtedly turned out much better than expected,” admitted Nadal. However, it is important to remain cautious, “in sport many things change very quickly”.

Nadal praises Shapovalov in the highest tones

The 35-year-old knows that in Shapovaov he has an opponent in front of him who is after his surprising three-set success against Alexander Zverev brings maximum self-confidence. “Denis is one of the players with the greatest potential on the tour,” emphasized Nadal in the run-up to the game.

Round of 16: Nadal with marathon tiebreak against Mannarino – highlights

From his point of view, the 22-year-old Canadian will eventually be a “multiple Grand Slam champion”. Only: In Melbourne he wants to prevent that first. The direct comparison speaks at least 3: 1 for the sixth in the world rankings.

Nevertheless, Nadal avoids a clear declaration of war – neither in the direction of Shapovalov, nor with regard to the question of the successor to defending champion Novak Djokovic. He doesn’t have to, the competition has long since noticed that Nadal is (almost) his old self again and therefore very difficult to beat.

Historic chances for Nadal

In addition, the clay court king has the chance to make history.

If he wins the tournament, he would be the second player after Djokovic since the beginning of the Open Era to win every Grand Slam competition at least twice. Not to mention that with 21 Major titles, he would surpass Roger Federer and Djokovic.

Maybe Nadal will experience some new things again at the end of the week…

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