Rafael Nadal has revealed that he is backing his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the highly anticipated men’s Australian Open final on Sunday, despite the ‘incredible’ history that he shares with his opponent Novak Djokovic. 

The tennis legend – who won the Grand Slam Down Under twice during his groundbreaking career – partnered up with the world No 1 for Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and also competed together in Davis Cup action before Nadal’s retirement at the end of that year. 

Alcaraz booked his spot in his first ever final in Melbourne on the heels of a sweat-drenched five-hour-and-twenty-seven-minute epic against last year’s finalist Alexander Zverev, despite struggling with vomiting and cramp midway through the marathon contest. 

Both Alcaraz and his opponent have one eye on history, with the 22-year-old playing to be the youngest man in the Open era to complete the career Grand Slam after victories in London, Paris, and New York. 

Djokovic meanwhile at 38 will look to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam, while claiming his record-shattering 25th major title. 

While Alcaraz would be knocking Nadal off his perch as the previous youngest winner of all four majors, the 39-year-old admitted that he was in his corner.  

Rafael Nadal has backed his old doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz to claim the Australian Open

The two-time winner Down Under has returned to take in the men’s final four years on from his late career triumph here in 2022

‘First of all, it’s going to be a pleasure to watch the final live,’ Nadal shared. ‘Having not been in a professional mindset for some time, the first thing I want is to enjoy a great battle and a high level of tennis again.

‘I have a good relationship with him, we shared the Olympic Games, we were both on the Spanish team. If Novak wins, I’ll be happy for him because, in a way, what he’s doing is spectacular. 

‘It wouldn’t be a tragedy for me, but if I have to support someone, I feel I have to support Carlos.’

Nadal did admit that he has an ‘incredible history’ with Djokovic, and wished him ‘the best’ in the showdown. 

While Alcaraz’s clash with Zverev will be remembered as the longest semi-final in the Slam’s history, it was shorter by some margin than the longest ever at the tournament – with Djokovic’s 2012 five-hour-and-fifty-three-minute final win against Nadal unlikely to be unseated for some time. 

The Serbian serial champion has won 10 times on Rod Laver Arena, but admitted after his immense five-set battle against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner that it was the night 14 years ago that he had channeled in a bid to bypass the world No 2. 

‘I’m lost for words right now,’ said Djokovic on court after his semi-final. ‘It feels surreal to be honest. 

‘Playing almost four hours, reminiscing in 2012, I played Rafa in the final that was six hours. The level of intensity was extremely high and I knew that was my only chance to win against him tonight.’ 

Nadal admitted that he has admiration for the ‘incredible history’ he shares with Alcaraz’s opponent on Sunday Novak Djokovic 

The pair met in an epic final in 2012, which Djokovic remembered during his battle on Friday

The 38-year-old fought intensely with world No 2 Jannik Sinner in one of the finest showings of his career

But while the veteran will go into the match marginally fresher after almost an-hour-and-a-half less time spent on court, Nadal was unafraid of Alcaraz’s ability to recover. 

The six-time Grand Slam winner was involved in a spat deep in the third set as he sought treatment for what Zverev believed was cramp, in opposition to the rules of on-court medical timeouts. 

Zverev complained to Grand Slam supervisor Andreas Egli that this was ‘bulls***’ and ‘unbelievable’, ranting that Sinner and Alcaraz were ‘protected’ by the tour as its two strongest players. 

As he struggled to retain fluids and suffered with conditioning issues, Alcaraz was likely operating within the rules, which allow for treatment of a heat-related illness – which sometimes takes in symptoms including cramp. 

‘Yesterday was an exciting match, I think it had a bit of everything,’ Nadal continued. ‘There was drama because of what happened to Carlos in the third set and then, as is normal in these situations, the cramps, if you manage to hold on for a while, usually pass; they are sometimes tension cramps.

‘In the end, the game had everything it needs to get people involved, to generate emotions in our sport and in the people who are watching it

‘I’m sure he’ll recover. Although it was a long battle, the other semifinal wasn’t short either, and it was against a player of a different age, so I think Carlos has an even better chance of recovering than Novak.’

Djokovic lost the duo’s last meeting at the US Open six months ago, but remains ahead in the head to head, five wins to four. 

One of their most potent meetings came when the elder man defeated Alcaraz to win the gold medal in Paris two years ago.