Rafael Nadal rules Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer bypass Australian Open record

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Rafael Nadal may win his historic 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open this weekend – but the Spaniard is focused on Thursday’s semi-final match.

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Rafael Nadal is distancing himself from the prospect of becoming the most decorated tennis player in the sport’s history ahead of the Australian Open semi-final match with Matteo Berrettini, according to his coach Carlos Moya.

Nadal will move away from Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the highest rankings of all time if he takes No. 21 at the Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. He wowed the Spaniard throughout the tournament, losing only three sets en route to the semi-final berth.

He’s chasing a second title in Down Under after winning the Australian Open again in 2009 – and Nadal was forced to pull off a tough five-set win over Canadian superstar Denis Shapovalov. Nadal beat the 22-year-old in an exciting match, winning 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3.

Rafael Nadal could win a record 21 Grand Slam title at the Australian Open – but is preparing to face Matteo Berrettini on Thursday (

picture:

PA photos)

The Australian Open provides a great opportunity for Nadal to take the lead in the major tournaments, especially after world number one Djokovic was dramatically removed from the country.

Despite a recent plea to play, Australian authorities have controversially chosen to revoke his visa.

Federer is still recovering from a chronic knee injury that has plagued him over the past few years and is expected to be out for at least a few more months.

According to Moya, Nadal, who will face Berrettini on Thursday for a place in the final, is not considering the date he can claim this weekend. His coach insisted there was little talk about the prospect of ever setting the record.

“We don’t talk about it but obviously we are dreaming about it and we hope to talk about it on Sunday,” Moya told reporters.

“There’s been a lot of things to talk about over the past few weeks you know, but we’re not talking about 21.

Carlos Moya has coached Rafael Nadal since 2016, helping the Spaniard win six more Grand Slam titles (

picture:

Getty Images)

“We know it is there, and there is pressure too but we avoid placing too much importance on it. Rafa has often said that his happiness does not depend on it.

“So if that happens, we’ll talk about it on Sunday, but for now, the focus is on this week, to recover and Friday’s game.”

Nadal is set to face a tough opponent in Brittany, and the great thing is that the two have only met once on the ATP tour when they clashed in the semi-finals of the 2019 US Open. The Spaniard won straight sets on that occasion, but the 25-year-old would imagine His chances after a wonderful victory over Gael Monfils.

And former world number four Brad Gilbert recently indicated that the Italian could cause problems for Nadal due to his explosive playing style and powerful serving.

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“His whole game is surfing and turf, and that’s what he wins,” Gilbert told the ATP Tour website. “If he’s going to win, he bombs the serve, throws the first ball forward, and controls the reins. If Rafa continues an offense and can make it work, its a problem.

“That’s what he did at the US Open, he broke the backhand. But if this guy serves the way he can serve, he serves big, but you don’t know how much energy he puts in.

“When a forehand guy has a monster, you want to be able to take him hard and fast to the forehands because he always looks to be on the back side of the court hitting the forehands.

“The ultimate goal is to be able to push him hard and fast into the forehand to open up more space for the backhand.”

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