MELBOURNE, Australia — Even Roger Federer said he’s excited to see if No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal can achieve the greatly hyped “Rafa Slam.”
Nadal’s quest to win his fourth consecutive Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open, which begins tonight (Monday morning in Melbourne), has shifted the spotlight from Federer, the once unstoppable Swiss who is defending champion, but currently second place in his long rivalry with the muscled Spaniard.
As the new season begins, it is Nadal’s turn to chase history. The 24-year-old No. 1 seed is bidding to become the first man in 42 years to win four straight Grand Slam tournaments, since Rod Laver achieved it in 1969.
“It’s a very exciting Australian Open, to see if Rafa can do it,” Federer, the No. 2 seed, said at a pre-tournament news conference Saturday, not looking terribly excited. “If I get a chance, I hope I can stop him, obviously.”
Nadal, who will play his first-round match against Marcos Daniel of Brazil, said he is recovering from a cold and is “not perfect yet.”
Nadal has been asked so many times about how it would feel to win a “Rafa Slam,” he said he doesn’t want to discuss it anymore. He added he was focused on winning the tournament.
Rounding out the men’s top seeds are No. 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia and No. 4 Robin Soderling of Sweden. No. 8 Andy Roddick is the top United States men’s seed.
Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark is the top women’s seed, followed by No. 2 Vera Zvonareva of Russia, No. 3 Kim Clijsters of Belgium and No. 4 Venus Williams of the United States. Two-time defending champion Serena Williams is recovering from a foot injury and will not play.
Last year was a phenomenal one for Nadal. After losing in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open to eventual runner-up Andy Murray, Nadal won the 2010 French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, bringing his Grand Slam trophy count to nine.
It was the Roland Garros victory that propelled Nadal back to No. 1 in the rankings, coinciding with Federer’s slump.
“Look, I think it’s unbelievable what Rafa’s been able to do. That in some ways makes him the favorite for this tournament,” Federer said.
Nadal strongly disagreed when informed Federer had labeled him “the favorite.”
“No, for sure, No!” Nadal said. “I for sure am feeling less favorite than him.”
