Rafael Nadal is hungry for a comeback bid. After a tough year and getting shutout of the Grand Slam Finals, the Spaniard vows a return to form next year.
However, there is one hurdle that Rafa might not be able to overcome, and that's Novak Djokovic. The Serbian is motivated enough to mount another display of invincibility that can crush Nadal's hopes to win another Grand Slam.
Djokovic went 3-1 in the Grand Slam Finals this year, missing out on the elusive calendar Grand Slam as he lost to Stan Wawrinka in the French Open. Thus, it is believed that this is enough motivation for the Serbian to mount a stronger effort.
This view was shared by Mats Wilander, former tennis champion as the Daily Times shared his comments to Omnisport.
"He's (Nadal) back in terms of he's not going to lose to too many players that are ranked lower than him," Wilander said. "Is he going to beat Novak Djokovic in a tennis match again? That's the big question, because really that's the person who he has to figure out. It's all about can he win a slam and can he beat Novak Djokovic on the way to do that? I don't think we know that until he's actually done it."
He also thinks that Djokovic will start strong early as he needs to settle unfinished business (Calendar slam). "If he wins that (Australian Open, first Slam of the year) I think he has another serious shot at winning all four grand slams." But Wilander doesn't think Djokovic will lose motivation for the other tournaments if loses in Australia (and is disqualified from the calendar Grand Slam). The Joker will still be at his best.
Perhaps that's because of his coach, former World no.1 Boris Becker. Becker recently professed his loyalty to Djokovic in an interview with German website Welt.de, (h/t IB Times).
Becker said he will not leave the Djokovic camp even for Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.