Rafael Nadal set for unique experience at Australian Open after Novak Djokovic kicked out | Tennis | Sport

While picking up another trophy and contesting three matches on Rod Laver Arena will boost the tennis legends’ confidence, he is still well short of the conditioning and match practice he would have liked ahead of a major, especially one he has failed to conquer since 2009.

This is also Nadal’s first best-of-five tournament since Roland Garros last year and, with less than ten matches under his belt since then, the sporting icon will have to shake off some rust in the opening rounds.

The Majorca native hasn’t faced any of the top-ranked players in a competitive tournament on a hard court since last year’s Australian Open, and Nadal will potentially have to overcome multiple top ten players if he is to win the Norman Brookes Trophy.

Nadal faces a stiff challenge, but the tennis legend has made a career of overcoming what seems like insurmountable odds to emerge victorious.