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Rafael Nadal's hopes of winning a record-setting 21st grand slam at the Australian Open have been thrown into chaos with the world No.2 battling a tight back.
Rafael Nadal is struggling with injury but the world No.2 has no plans to withdraw from the Australian Open as he eyes a record-setting 21st grand slam title.
The Spaniard pulled out of the ATP Cup this week after first experiencing tightness in his back while training in Adelaide afte leaving quarantine.
The 34-year-old on Sunday attempted to serve but said he was still hampered by soreness and is nowhere near his best ahead of a first-round encounter with Serbian Laslo Djere.
Nadal has won just one Australian Open - in 2009 - but will surpass Roger Federer for all-time majors with an unlikely second triumph at Melbourne Park.
The left-hander equalled Federer's mark of 20 when he won his 13th French Open in October.
"It's true that for the last 15 days I have been suffering with the back," the second seed told reporters.
"I'm doing everything what's possible to be ready for (the Open).
"I have (Monday) and then playing Tuesday. I don't think about not playing.
"My physio is here, the doctors (are) here, everybody is helping me in all possible ways."
It is not the first time Nadal has entered a grand slam under a major injury cloud and he believes his experience dealing with pain will only help him.
"But it's not the ideal situation to start a tournament with problems, especially a demanding tournament like this one playing best-of-five sets," Nadal said.
The question marks surrounding Nadal's fitness means Novak Djokovic is in the box-seat to clinch a ninth Australian Open crown - and 18th major.
The world No.1's dominance at Melbourne Park gives him a psychological edge over opponents before even stepping on court.
Djokovic has a "love affair" with the Australian Open like nowhere else in the world.
He has claimed the past two majors Down Under after winning five of six Australian Open titles between 2011 and 2016.
"It's probably something similar like Rafa (Nadal) has with the French Open," the Serbian star said.
"I've been feeling more comfortable on the court each year that I've been coming back.
"The more you win, obviously the more confidence you have and the more pleasant you feel on the court. It just feels right (being in Melbourne)."
Djokovic has had even more time to readjust to Melbourne's hard courts than usual with COVID-19 forcing lead-up tournaments to be held in the Victorian capital instead of other parts of Australia.
"Playing ATP Cup and having four matches, two singles, two doubles, on Rod Laver Arena helps to prepare well," he said.
"I've never experienced that kind of lead-up to an Australian Open before so that's a positive having already had quite a lot of match time on the court."
Djokovic will take on Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in the first round on Monday night.
