Photo via @Kia_Motors

Photo via @Kia_Motors

ARTICLES:

• New year brings new challenges for Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and the players chasing them (via oregonlive.com)

… “The slow, bouncy hard courts at the Australian Open suit your game more than the fall’s indoor surfaces or even the U.S. Open’s courts, yet you have only one Melbourne title. By living in the moment, which of course has been the secret of your success from the very beginning, you’ll add a second Oz championship to your C.V.”

• Success is all about attitude, Nadal tells Aspire students (via gulf-times.com)

… “The only advice I can give young and aspiring sportsmen is to fight with a positive attitude, until the very last moment,” said Nadal. “On the days you’re not feeling your best and just want to go home, push through and give it all you’ve got because it is by getting through those moments that you become a winner.”

• Nadal: “Sin jugar al tenis también he sido feliz” (via sport.es)

… “No puedo engañar. Evidentemente sorprende. Hay un ranking que marca quién ha sido el mejor del año aunque creo que los dos hicimos un año fantástico. He sido muy crítico con la ITF, aunque creo que tengo la razón y que muchas veces se lo merecen, y quiero pensar que son lo suficientemente profesionales como para que esas críticas no hayan pesado en su decisión. “

• Rafael Nadal braced for ‘strange’ days in Australia (via tribune.com.pk)
• Nadal focused on titles not ranking points (via sport360.com)

Nadal, a champion in Melbourne in 2009, would be the first player since Rod Laver to win each Grand Slam at least twice should he triumph this month. For the first time in his career, the Mallorcan has commenced his season with a title win in the first week and he’s hoping it bodes well for his chances.

• Court speed at Australian Open tennis unchanged, says tournament director Craig Tiley (via smh.com.au)
• Who’s hot and who’s not? (via thetennisspace.com)
• Best-Case Scenarios for Top Stars of Men’s Tennis in 2014 (via bleacherreport.com)

… It is almost like a question asked of a little boy. “What would you like for the New Year, Rafael Nadal?” It’s hard to find an answer that is as clear as the other top players around him. That’s because Nadal has it all.

• Tour report: Hewitt, Nadal, Serena, Ivanovic win early titles (via wimbledon.com)
• Corona ATP Weekly Slice 2014

TENTH ANNIVERSARY: This year marks the 10th anniversary of Rafael Nadal reaching his first career ATP World Tour final. The then 17-year-old Spaniard lost to Dominik Hrbaty 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the 2004 Auckland final.

• Ask Rafa! Tweet your questions to #KiaOpenDrive! (via @Kia_Motors)
• Thanasi Kokkinakis will be interviewing Rafael Nadal. Post your questions here. (via Babolat Facebook)

VIDEOS:

• [Kia] Rafael Nadal’s exclusive interview from Seoul
• Rafael Nadal – Best points in ATP Qatar Open 2014

PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal visits Aspire Academy in Doha