Novak Djokovic returns to next week's Australian Open as heavy favourite and with his ominous form in stark contrast to the struggles of defending champion Rafael Nadal.
A year ago Djokovic was consumed by a legal battle over his COVID vaccination stance which he ultimately lost and was deported on the eve of the Grand Slam.
Djokovic's recent exploits, coupled with Nadal's iffy form, the absence of injured world number one Carlos Alcaraz and last year's retirement of Roger Federer, undoubtedly make him the man to beat. Nadal has been written off before but is facing fresh questions about whether age and injury are catching up with him.
Nadal, who is striving to join Federer and Ken Rosewall as men's major winners aged 36 or older, insisted he was not concerned by his recent struggles. The 2021 US Open champion has a love-hate relationship with the Melbourne crowd but pushed Nadal all the way in last year's final.
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