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Illustration: michaelmucci.com

Chaz Niell / Tennis View Magazine

ARTICLES:

• Bernard Tomic vows to take it to Rafael Nadal at Australian Open (via heraldsun.com)

… “Now my focus is on playing Rafa. It’s a good opportunity. I’m playing a legend, probably one of the best players we have around now, Roger and Rafa. His game is very unique and he’s the best at what he does. This is why he’s No. 1 in the world and a great champion.”

• Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have contrasting opinions on the Australian Open court speed (via heraldsun.com)

… Grand Slam archrivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer found themselves on opposing sides of the Australian Open court speed debate as the celebrated pair prepared to fend off challenges from Bernard Tomic and James Duckworth.

• Nadal poses biggest threat to Djokovic’s reign (via stuff.co.nz)

… While Nadal reasserted his hegemony over Roland Garros with an eighth French Open triumph last year and Roger Federer has won seven Wimbledon crowns, Djokovic has made Melbourne Park his own grand slam banker with four titles in the last five years.

• Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray debate court speeds in Australia (via SI.com)
• Rafa ready for the challenge (via ausopen.com)

… “For me the main goal is try to be here for a long time, for not only one more or two more years. So my priority is try to play as long as I can in my career.”

• Did Rafa Get Stiffed by the Draw Gods in Australia? (via Tennis Now)

… Who got the tougher draw, Rafael Nadal, or the poor guys that have to face him in the first week at Melbourne?

• Rafael Nadal es como Lionel Messi, ¿por qué? (via elcomercio.com)

… Rafael Nadal es como Lionel Messi: no hay nada más duro para él que no jugar. Al español ya no le alcanza con ser el ‘rey’ del tenis. Quiere algo más. El sueño del zurdo es prolongar su carrera la mayor cantidad de años posible, y para eso está trabajando con más minuciosidad y seriedad que nunca antes.

• Rafael Nadal returns to claim elusive prize (via smh.au.com)
• Rafael Nadal strikes the perfect life balance to have fun and games (via The Times)
• Dieta y ambición, la receta de Nadal (via elmundo.es)
• Australian Open top ten: Head to head (via Yahoo Australia)

PHOTOS:

• Counting Down: Rafael Nadal practices on Saturday in Melbourne
• Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Attend Australian Open Kids Day
• Top Players Heat up the Practice Courts at the Australian Open (via Tennis View Magazine Facbook)

VIDEOS:

• Nadal Tomic danger game: World number one Rafael Nadal admits his first round match up against Aussie Bernard Tomic is a danger game.
• Australian Open 2014: Rafael Nadal Press Conference