‘He is never a dark horse’ - says Boris Becker on Nadal Australian Open aspirations

With Novak Djokovic's status in question and with Nadal playing quite good to start the year there is some buzz about Nadal and his chances for the Australian Open.

Many tennis analysts are not willing to commit to Nadal as a serious contender as they are unsure how his health will hold up but also because his Australian Open record has not been good. He played in one final and it was back in 2009. He did win it but since then he was never able to reach the final again. With Djokovic possibly out of comission some think there might be a chance.

On that topic, Boris Becker said:

"As long as Rafael Nadal plays tennis and gets the chance, he is never a dark horse for me, but always one of the tournament favourites. I think that in the back of his mind he just wants to win [the French Open] again. But he has to play tournaments first, preferably a Grand Slam."

Becker further said:

“He has no pressure, nobody expects anything from him. The preparation was bad because of his Corona illness [but] I don't know anyone in the main draw who would like to play Nadal in the first or second round. That is his nimbus - he is one of the ultimate superstars. And again, he can also get [his 21st career win at a Grand Slam tournament]. I think that's another reason why he's playing in Melbourne. These top stars who have won so much, they wouldn't be playing if they didn't think they had a chance."