Rafael Nadal ‘more relaxed’ about Australian Open final vs Medvedev than Novak Djokovic | Tennis | Sport

The deportation of nine-time champion Djokovic has left Nadal as the only player able to break the record they share with Roger Federer in Melbourne.

The Serb was in Montenegro on Friday to see a plaque unveiled in his honour while Nadal is preparing for his 29th Grand Slam final.

And Eurosport analyst Becker said: “Rafa Nadal – what a legend of our sport. Two months ago it was uncertain whether he would be able to continue playing at all – and then he comes to Australia and plays his best tennis.

“I don’t think Nadal was thinking about his 21st Grand Slam title before the semi-final. He is more relaxed about it than Novak Djokovic.

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“He says, ‘I’m happy that I still can play tennis and that I’m in the final in Australia.’ He will be thinking about the 21. However, Rafa is an absolute superstar and will be able to handle it.”

Nadal, 35, leads their head-to-head record 3-1, including victory in their only major meeting in the 2019 US Open final.

“It is revenge for the 2019 US Open for sure,” said the Russian world No 2. “But at the same time, it is a different place and it is a new final. Every final is always new.

“If you think too much about the past, it is not good either. We know that he is going for the 21st. I don’t want to say that my goal is to stop him doing that.

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“My goal is to win the match. Effectively, with that, I don’t want him to go first in the rankings on Sunday. I am going to do everything I can, I am going to give everything, tennis-wise, physically, mentally, to be at my best because that is the only way that I can beat him in a final.”

Medvedev came through a stormy semi-final with Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday when he clashed with Spanish umpire Jaume Campistol.

And seven-time Grand Slam champion Justine Henin said: “He clearly overstepped the lines. We can’t accept from anyone to talk like that to a referee who didn’t commit a huge mistake at this point.

“On the substance, he might be right but on the form it’s clearly unbearable. He’s gone too far. Maybe he should be penalised. It might happen.

“After the game, he made his mea culpa, saying ‘it’s not right what I did, let’s move one”. I’m not sure it will follow this path so easily for him.”