Rafael Nadal: Novak Djokovic offered French Open hope in Roger Federer Grand Slam battle

Tenns: Djokovic slams critics after Australian Open win

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Boris Becker believes Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open quarter-final defeat at the hands of Stefanos Tsitipas could have a knock-on effect further down the line ahead of the French Open. The Spaniard was dumped out of the competition in the last eight, despite winning the first two sets against 22-year-old, who fought back from the brink of elimination to stun Nadal.

Tsitsipas is part of the sport’s next-generation, fighting to dethrone the Big Three and this was an important step in his career, despite losing in the semi-final to Daniil Medvedev.

But on the flip side, the collapse suggests that Nadal’s powers may have waned in the Grand Slams, besides Roland-Garros, where he remains the unprecedented king of clay.

Now Becker is interested to see how quickly Nadal recovers from the setback, hinting that the 34-year-old may struggle to bounce back from the bitterly disappointing defeat.

“Rafael Nadal’s five-set defeat by Stefanos Tsitsipas will sting for some time, and could even be a factor at the French Open,” Becker wrote for the Daily Mail.

Nadal has been struggling with a persistent back problem but battled on through the pain barrier Down Under despite fears the injury could wreck his title dream.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Becker believes the games are finally catching up on Nadal, who has put his body under immense strain throughout his illustrious career.

“There was definitely some vulnerability in Nadal if we think forward to Paris,” Becker added, again raising doubts ahead of May’s French Open.

“For the first time I can recall Rafael Nadal looked really tired in that fifth set, he was beaten physically, and the others will have seen that.

“The Spaniard’s style is so physical that it is going to take a toll. I am actually surprised that he has played to this incredibly high level for so long.”

“While it would be foolish to bet against him for Paris when he gets that little step slower he will not be the same player.”

The verdict could provide an opening for Djokovic, who intends to close the gap on Roger Federer and Nadal at the French Open, where he is plotting his revenge on the latter after last year’s final defeat.

Djokovic is now within two majors of Federer and Nadal (both on 20) and has vowed to sit out from several ATP Tour events, in order to prioritise Grand Slams.

The Serbian’s coach Goran Ivanisevic believes Nadal may only win one more title and is backing his man to prevail in the Grand Slam race.

“Rafa, for sure, is going to win one [more Grand Slam], I hope not two, but I give him one,” Ivanisevic said.

Before adding: “I’m waiting for Roger to come back. It’s going to be more interesting to see what is going to happen at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

“[It] is just great. The race is there. I said a couple [of] years ago [that] Rafa and Novak [are both] going to overtake Roger. I still believe that. I still think so.”

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