‘Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are following closely’ - Mats Wilander on Rafa Nadal’s quest for 21st Grand Slam

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will be paying very close attention when Rafael Nadal takes on Daniil Medvedev in the Australian Open final on Sunday, according to Eurosport expert Mats Wilander. Having beaten Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3 in a relatively straightforward semi-final, Nadal is one victory away from winning a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title.

He faces an extremely tough test against Medvedev, however, with the Russian coming through a fiery clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas to triumph 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 6-1. Ad/> With Federer and Djokovic tied alongside the current world No.

5 on 20 career Grand Slams as things stand, Wilander is certain that Nadal’s rivals will be watching his tournament decider against Medvedev with interest. Speaking in the Eurosport Cube, the Swedish former world No.

1 said: “Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are for sure following these finals very closely. Australian OpenRafa the Great, Medvedev's meltdown and one umpire's stealth mission — Aus Open Diary2 HOURS AGO “First of all they are lovers of tennis.

I think they will most probably watch it because it’s fun and [they’ll think]: ‘Ah, yeah, that’s what Rafa used to do against me’ or ‘Look at this Daniil Medvedev, is he better than we ever were?’ “Then I think there’s the tactical tennis pro that’s still out there [thinking]: ‘What can I learn from what Medvedev does to Nadal, or Nadal does to Medvedev?’ So I’m sure Federer and Djokovic are both watching.” Wilander also expressed his relief at Nadal’s resurgence in form following a difficult 2021 in which he struggled with a recurring foot injury. “I think [if] Rafael Nadal [ends up] winning on Sunday, the most important part for that would be that he’s back at the top of the game,