'My favourite has always been Rafa' - Casper Ruud backing Nadal for record-breaking win at Australian Open

Norwegian tennis player Casper Ruud is backing Rafael Nadal to make history and win a record 21st Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Daniil Medvedev stands in the way of Nadal claiming the record, after he beat Daniil Medvedev to secure his spot in the Melbourne final.

Ad/> Nadal remains locked alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on 20 career major titles, with many suggesting whoever ends their career out in front will be remembered as the greatest player of all time. Australian Open'I think Novak will be watching' – Medvedev out to stop Nadal’s 21st partyAN HOUR AGO Thinking about who the stand-out figure is out of the trio, Ruud tells Eurosport it’s a “very tough, tough question”.

Nadal is 'unique, special' talent – Corretja on Spaniard’s run to AO final 'He'll be thinking about 21' — Nadal 'more relaxed about it than Djokovic' says Becker Highlights: Nadal closes on 21st Grand Slam title by beating Berrettini to reach final “My personal favourite has always been Rafa because I watched him for so many years”, he said, having seen the 35-year-old get past Matteo Berrettini in five sets in their Melbourne semi-final. Ruud has fond recollections of seeing Nadal in action from a very early age, saying “even the first memory I have of watching TV is him winning his first Roland Garros.

I still remember he’s playing sleeveless against Puerta I think in the final. /> That victory on the French clay in 2005 was the start of something special for Nadal, who went on to win the tournament four years in a row, as he collected his first batch of major trophies.

Not only was that the beginning of his rise to superstardom, but, little did the Spaniard know, he was also inspiring the next generation of players. “That’s like