Rafael Nadal has arrived in Melbourne to take part in the Australian Open closing ceremony, for his first appearance since 2023.
The Australian Open has brought back several legends for the first Grand Slam of the year, including Lleyton Hewitt, Jennifer Capriati, and Rod Laver.
Roger Federer also returned to the Australian Open, where he appeared in the Opening Week’s doubles match alongside Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, Hewitt, and Ash Barty.
While on promotional duties in Melbourne, Nadal has predicted the outcome of the Australian Open final.
Rafael Nadal names Carlos Alcaraz as ‘favourite’ for Novak Djokovic clash
Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic is one of the more anticipated Grand Slam finals in recent years, with plenty on the line for both players.
Djokovic is looking for an elusive 25th Grand Slam title, which would see him hold the outright record of majors tournament wins.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, could become the youngest player in tennis history to achieve a Career Grand Slam with a victory.
Who is winning in Sunday’s Australian Open final?
Speaking to Australian outlet Nine, Nadal opted for his compatriot when asked to pick a favourite for the final.
He said: “I think the favourite is Carlos. He’s young, he has the energy and he’s in his prime. But I mean, Novak is Novak. He’s a very special player.
“I don’t know if Novak has lost a final here. It’s always a challenge and he likes the challenges. (But) favourite is Carlos from my point of view.”
Both men played five set matches in their semi-finals, with Djokovic coming through an epic with Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz finding a way to defeat Alexander Zverev after five and a half hours.
Djokovic and Alcaraz will meet on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, 1 February, with the match set to begin at 7:30pm Australian time.
Australian star says fans could be doubting Novak Djokovic
After an epic set of semi-finals, the gap between Djokovic and Alcaraz has arguably never been smaller, despite Nadal’s claims the Spaniard is the favourite.
Many have backed Djokovic to lift the Australian Open trophy for a record-setting 11th time, including former Australian professional John Millman.
Speaking on Nine’s coverage of the Melbourne Grand Slam, the Australian said: “I’m going Novak, I’m going the champ.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record
| Year | Winner | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | US Open | 64 76(4) 62 |
| 2025 | Novak Djokovic | Australian Open | 46 64 63 64 |
| 2024 | Novak Djokovic | Paris Olympics | 76(3) 76(2) |
| 2024 | Carlos Alcaraz | Wimbledon | 62 62 76(4) |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | ATP Finals | 63 62 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Cincinnati Open | 57 76(7) 76(4) |
| 2023 | Carlos Alcaraz | Wimbledon | 16 76(6) 61 36 64 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Roland Garros | 63 57 61 61 |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Madrid Open | 67(5) 75 76(5) |
“Too many people have doubted him throughout this tournament. People say he should have retired. He’s number four in the world, off only 13 tournaments in 2025. I’m going for the GOAT.”
Alcaraz and Djokovic’s meeting in the Australian Open final will be their first major final since Wimbledon in 2024.
Should Djokovic retire whatever happens in the Australian Open final and go out in a blaze of glory?
The Spaniard defeated Djokovic in that clash in straight sets to win his first Wimbledon crown.
