Australian Open: Nadal backs Alcaraz to win despite ‘full respect’ for Djokovic
Rafael Nadal (Image via Getty)A two-time Australian Open champion, Rafael Nadal thinks world number one Alcaraz is the favorite but said he would not be surprised if 38-year-old Djokovic pulled off an upset. "I think the favourite is Carlos," Nadal told host broadcaster Channel Nine on Saturday.Jay Shah’s 2036 Olympic blueprint for India: '8 Medals won’t cut it'The 22-time Grand Slam winner, who retired in 2024, will attend the match in Melbourne. Nadal said he has “full respect” for his former rival Novak Djokovic but believes Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz is likely to win Sunday’s Australian Open final. "He's young, he has the energy and he's in his prime. But I mean, Novak is Novak. He's a very special player. "I don't know if Novak has lost a final here. It's always a challenge and he likes the challenges. "(But) favourite is Carlos from my point of view." Speaking to the Melbourne Age newspaper, Nadal said it was “a positive thing” to see someone of Djokovic’s age competing against players like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Djokovic defeated 24-year-old Sinner in a five-set semi-final to reach his 11th Australian Open final. He has won all of his previous 10 finals at Melbourne. "I really believe that he is here for one simple reason -– because if I don't get injured, probably I will be here playing too," said Nadal, who is one year older than Djokovic. "When you like to do this thing, if you are not injured and if you are not super tired mentally, why wouldn’t you be here? "I think it's a positive example of commitment, of resilience. "I mean, Novak, for obvious reasons, he's not at his prime, but he is still very, very competitive at an age that is difficult to be very competitive. So full respect." He is also trying to win a record 25th Grand Slam, surpassing Margaret Court, who is expected to watch the final at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.End of Article
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