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Australian tennis legend Paul McNamee says Rafael Nadal has “lost a yard” and the only Grand Slam he has a realistic chance of winning is the French Open
- Rafael Nadal has no chance to defend his Australian Open title on January 16
- That’s the opinion of Paul McNamee, who believes that injuries will hurt him.
- The great Australian tennis player expects Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime to participate
- Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic fights for his 10th title at Melbourne Park
- 12 months ago he was deported in scenes generating international headlines
Australian tennis legend Paul McNamee has ruled out Rafael Nadal’s chances at the Australian Open, declaring that the Spanish superstar will only be a true Grand Slam contender at the French Open.
Nadal, 36, is desperate to defend his men’s singles crown at Melbourne Park later this month, but McNamee will be shocked if the veteran pulls off the 23rd major of his career.
The prominent sports administrator, who served as Hopman Cup tournament director and was a previous chief executive of AFL club Melbourne Demons, also claimed that Nadal has “lost a yard” in speed and is not the same threat on the court. .
Recent United Cup losses to Britain’s Cam Norrie and Australia’s Alex de Minaur when representing Spain have other players on the ATP tour confident they will get Nadal’s measure on January 16, according to McNamee.
‘Like (Roger) Federer before him, Nadal is struggling with injuries. In 2022, he had an abdominal tear that ruled him out of a Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios,’ McNamee said in his Sydney Morning Herald column.
Australian tennis legend Paul McNamee has ruled out Rafael Nadal’s chances at the Australian Open due to a succession of nagging injuries.
Nadal is in the twilight of his career, but he still managed to win the Australian and French Opens in 2022
“In addition, there was a recurrence of a chronic ankle injury, and he has long battled tendonitis in his knees.
“Court coverage has always been a major asset for Nadal but, and to say this is cruel, I’m afraid he’s lost a yard.”
McNamee wasn’t entirely scathing, labeling Nadal’s forehand “the best shot in tennis history,” better than Pete Sampras’ or Roger Federer’s serves, or Novak Djokovic’s backhand.
He is tipping Nadal to win his 15th slam at Roland Garros later this year, but singled out the likes of world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz, teammate Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev as the ones who A must see in Melbourne Park.
Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic will have something to prove after his visa was canceled 12 months ago
The two-time Wimbledon doubles champion also anticipates ‘big runs’ from local hopefuls Nick Kyrgios and de Minaur.
Djokovic, who won the Australian Open a record nine times, is shaping up to be a real contender, even though he turned 35 last May.
The Serb, with 21 Grand Slam titles to his name, will also be highly motivated after his visa was canceled 12 months ago for failing to disclose his vaccination status.
He was later sent home by the Australian government in scenes that generated international headlines.