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Rafael Nadal: King of Clay, can he win at Melbourne Park?

By Harry Floyd

NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 03: Rafael Nadal walks with Tiger Woods during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, Bahamas on December 3, 2017 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
NASSAU, BAHAMAS - DECEMBER 03: Rafael Nadal walks with Tiger Woods during the final round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, Bahamas on December 3, 2017 in Nassau, Bahamas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Rafael Nadal enters the 2018 ATP World Tour as the world No. 1. Can the King of Clay win a Grand Slam beyond the French Open this coming year?

Rafael Nadal has one title at the Australian Open throughout his career.

The current world No. 1 tasted glory at the 2009 Grand Slam event when he defeated Roger Federer. While the King of Clay has earned an impressive 10 titles at the French Open, he remains in search of a second win at the Australian Open.

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On the 2017 ATP World Tour, Nadal reached the finals at Melbourne Park. He would fall to friend and rival Federer in a five-set epic match. Now, Federer enters the 2018 event as the defending champion with the chance at a 20th Grand Slam singles title.

Rafael Nadal must translate his play onto hard courts in 2018.

The year-end world No. 1 enters the upcoming tour as a top contender in any tournament he plays in. He will, however, need to prove that he is healthy enough to compete at the highest level. Nadal withdrew from the ATP Finals in London after his opening round match.

Federer is not the only player standing in Nadal’s way at Melbourne Park. Six-time champion Novak Djokovic looks to return from an injury plagued 2017 ATP World Tour this coming month. The Serbian is a former world No. 1 with 12 career Grand Slam singles titles to his name. He and Federer have largely dominated play at the Australian Open over the past decade.

Next: Top 10: Men's Singles Tennis

Rafael Nadal has displayed brilliance throughout his career on all surfaces. It is well known, however, that his play stands out on clay. If he can find his rhythm at Melbourne Park this coming month, the world No. 1 will inch closer to Federer in total career Grand Slam wins. He will need to be at his best if he hopes to compete with a star studded field of players in men’s singles tennis. His 2017 ATP World Tour featured two major tournament titles, but he remains in search of that second career win at the Australian Open. Stay tuned to see if he can defeat the field at Melbourne Park next month. Check back for all of the updates on men’s singles at the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2018 ATP World Tour.

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