RAFA COOL ON SLAM RECORD
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NOVAK DJOKOVIC will be more nervous than Rafa Nadal today as the Spaniard seeks a male record 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
That is the claim of Boris Becker before the No.6 seed takes on favourite Daniil Medvedev.
The deportation of nine-time champion Djokovic has left Nadal as the only player in Melbourne able to break the record they share with Roger Federer.
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 after his serious ankle operation – 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.
“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 would be 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.
“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. My goal is to win the match.”
Medvedev came through a stormy semifinal 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 line at this point.
“Maybe he should be penalised. It might happen.”