JOIN USNadal holds the French, Wimbledon and US Open crowns and will bid to become the first man since Australia's Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four majors concurrently. The Spanish world number one has already said the feat has no bearing on his preparations and was similarly dismissive when pressed by reporters to talk about his chances.
“I think (it) is almost impossible,” said Nadal when asked about Laver's record. “It's very, very difficult. Tennis is a very competitive sport and (there) is not a lot of difference between players.
“So a lot of matches are decided in a few balls. So for that reason it is very difficult to have one player winning everything. “I think it's better if we continue with other questions because for me, seriously, I can't answer this question because I (cannot) imagine (it).
“I think if that does happen, for sure, I am gonna be more happy to win in Australia because it's the Australian Open more than because it's the fourth in a row. That's 100 percent true.”
The Spaniard was frank about his condition two days before the tournament starts on Monday. “I'm feeling better. I think not perfect yet,” he said. “But seems like after what I had in Doha, when I (am) practising, I feel a little bit more tired than usual and sweating more than ever. But the truth is I'm better than few days ago. So that's very positive.”
Nadal's arch-rival and defending champion Roger Federer had earlier anointed the Mallorcan favourite to win his 10th Grand Slam.
Sania wins
Sania Mirza overcame a fighting Vitalia Diatchenko in a tough three-setter to storm into the third and final round of women’s singles qualifying event of the Australian Open here on Saturday.
The 24th seed Indian scored a 6-4, 6-7(7-9), 6-3 win in one hour 46 minutes in the second round.The 145th ranked Sania will next face Canada’s Stephanie Dubois who got the better of Australian Sophie Letcher 6-1, 6-4, for a place in the main draw of the year’s first Grand Slam.
The 24-year-old Indian is slightly better in world rankings with Dubois placed at 164.
Sania lost the only time she has played Dubois in 2009 on Vancouver hard courts.