Nadal's Quest in Melbourne: 2015

After a bittersweet week in Doha, next up is the Australian Open!

A first round exit in Doha was slighting worrying regarding Rafa's match preparation before Melbourne. However, after a very successful week in doubles winning the title, (see here) Rafa has had some more opportunities to be on court. The win will surely improve his confidence, giving him an even better chance of starting the Australian Open strong.

As this is still the start of a comeback, we cannot be sure how Rafa will play or react to some tough matches that await in Melbourne. One thing is for sure though, Rafa will work as hard as possible and do everything he can to be ready for the first slam of the year.

Many tennis enthusiasts share the same view that Rafa will either exit the tournament early or get deep into competition. I agree. If Rafa can get over the first week, his confidence will be high and he'll have a really good chance at the title. We know that Rafa's form is not perfect and his tennis needs adjustments, but a slam is a tournament you can really play into. Lots of rounds that are all 5 sets will allow room for improvement.

Even if Rafa does play himself into form, the competition is so tough. Federer, Djokovic and Murray are all playing great as usual and the quality of tennis from most competitors is so strong right now. The likes of Dimitrov and Raonic are leading the new generation and improving each tournament. The standard in Melbourne will undoubtedly be very high.

After a heartbreaking final last year and some unlucky moments in the past (see here) I'd love Rafa to pick up a second title at the Australian Open. It's a tournament I've always loved and so has he, it would be amazingly special to watch him bite another trophy. However, we have no idea what is going to happen. Rafans will just have to take one match at a time and just enjoy having him back on court.

I'm very excited to watch the tournament and I can't wait to see what happens. I'm hungry for success and I'm sure Rafa is too… we'll see.

Vamos.

@_phenomenadal_

Rafa + The Australian Open

I've surely made it clear by now that next year one of my goals on behalf of Rafa is him winning the Australian Open. Obviously we can't do anything about that, its up to him, but I'm pretty sure it's in the back of his mind too.. After the washout 2014 and disaster Australian Open final, its about time we watch Rafa bite another trophy down under.

If Rafa wins the Australian Open again some time (ideally 2015), he would be the proud owner of 15 slam titles, just 2 away from Federer. I want to see him win in Melbourne, as I wasn't around for the first time in 2009.

Rafa has had bad luck so many times at the Australian Open, its like a cursed tournament for him. Let's take it back to the start, and re-live the good and the bad Australian Open moments…


2004

Rafa reached the third round, losing to Lleyton Hewitt in three sets. This was Rafa's first Australian Open appearance.

2005

Rafa improved in Melbourne by one match, this time he still lost the Lleyton Hewitt, but in the fourth round. 

2006

This was the first time Rafa missed the Australian Open, due to his foot injury. 

2007

Progress was still being made for Rafa. In 2007 he reached the quarterfinals beating Murray along the way, he lost to Fernando Gonzalez. 

2008

It just kept getting better for Rafa (his outfits certainly weren't however!) In 2008 he reached the semi finals, but he was beaten by Jo Wilfried Tsonga. 

2009

All the hard work finally paid off! After years of trying, Rafa finally won the Australian Open 2009! He breezed through the early rounds, but in the semi finals playing Verdasco, the match lasted 5 hours 14 minutes, the second longest match ever at the Australian Open. In the final he played a familiar face, Roger Federer, who he beat in 5 sets. 

2010

Rafa was put under pressure being defending champion in 2010. He reached the quarterfinals where he played Andy Murray. In the third set Rafa retired 3-0 down due to pain in his right knee. This was where it seriously all began… the long road of knee injuries. 

2011

After a fantastic 2010, including 3 grand slams, Rafa was aiming to win 4 majors in a row. He reached the quarterfinals where he played his friend and fellow Spaniard, David Ferrer. Unfortunately, Rafa suffered a hamstring injury early in their match and therefore lost in straight sets. Rafa's grand slam streak had ended. 

2012

Rafa was having a successful 2012 in Australia. He reached the final beating Berdych and Federer along the way. Rafa had reached the final of all 4 slams consecutively. In a 5 hour 53 minute final (the longest grand slam final ever) Rafa was beaten by Djokovic in 5 sets. An incredible effort, but not enough. 

2013- A 7 month left knee injury layoff included missing the Australian Open. A very difficult time for Rafa and his fans. 2013 was a Rafa-less Australia Open, due to a stomach virus. We had to wait for the return...

2014

In 2014 Rafa played a fantastic tournament, reaching the final and again, beating Federer along the way. He was all set to play Stanislas Wawrinka in the final. In the practice at the start of the match, Rafa felt slight pain in his lower back, but carried on. Gradually as the match progressed it started to get increasingly painful, even to the point he was wincing in agony, and could hardly hit the ball. He refused to retire. Booing from the crowd and outrage from Stan added to the heartbreak of the situation. By far the worst moment I've ever had to experience with Rafa. A very unlucky tournament.

(Sorry for making you sad for looking at this picture)

9 years of the Australian Open, and we have won once. It's about time we add to the trophy cabinet. This year was so awful and heartbreaking, that I want to make up for it. 

That's the goal, a 2nd Australian Open title. I'm sure Rafa and his fans would all love that.

No pressure, Rafael…

@rafanadaladdict