5 Reasons Why Rafael Nadal Is Going to Win Australian Open 2012

What happened to the champion that we knew? Don't worry readers, Rafael Nadal simply took a little sabbatical year (although he was often present in the finals in 2011) to treat us even more in 2012.

Indeed, it seems that this year could well be the one where Rafael Nadal begins lifting titles again, and success could start in Melbourne...

1. Passion for Tennis Is Back

In 2011, Rafael Nadal said it and showed it. Unmotivated, tired of tennis and practices, complaining about ATP calendar, too busy for his taste...the Spaniard was about to give up. 

And, spending a few weeks away seems to have done miracles. Rafa took time to rest and train, and the first result was winning the Davis Cup with the Spanish team.

This victory brought the passion back. 2012 has come and a new Rafa with it. He is now an invigorated champion, ready to go reclaim his world No. 1 throne, and the Mallorcan knows a victory in Melbourne would greatly help. 

Back on the ATP circuit very soon this year, with an exhibition in Abu Dhabi and a tournament in Doha, Rafa says it loud and clear: He's happy to be back with a new mindset to start a season full of challenges.

2. Decided to Be More Aggressive

In 2011, Rafael Nadal was struck by a Serbian hurricane named Novak Djokovic, winning every tournament on his path, dethroning the Spaniard from his world No. 1 seat. 

He decided to respond this season, and Rafa armed himself for the fight. Well-aware of his strengths, Nadal knows that his power is one of his greatest qualities. Yet in 2012, it will not stop there. 

He expressed his desire to be more aggressive on the court. Thus, Nadal got himself a heavier racket in order to manager even more powerful strikes.

So it is a more aggressive Nadal that is expected in Melbourne, enough to confuse his opponents, who had learned with the years how to handle the Mallorcan's strikes.

3. Pressure, but Not Too Much

Rafael Nadal knows his nemesis is named Novak Djokovic. And beating the Serb would set the tone for his season.

2012 promises to be paramount for Nadal, who will have much to do to sit in first place again. But in the meanwhile, the pressure is all on Djokovic who has had a tremendous season in 2011.

In 2009, despite of his success at the Australian Open, Rafa had an awful year, losing his first-place ranking to Roger Federer. But in 2010, he got back on track by winning everything back again.

The Spaniard has already proven he's never better than when he is facing the wall. Eliminated in the third round in 2011, he had nothing—or very little—to lose, so Rafa will come to Albert Park with less pressure than Djokovic or Federer, with the sole mission to raise his statistics.

Although Nadal is a great champion, he has only lifted Melbourne's trophy one time.

4. Federer and Djokovic Won't Make It

As good as they might be, Federer and Djokovic have good chances of not making it to the end in Melbourne.

Roger Federer has a bad back injury, and recently withdrew from Doha's semifinal against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. And even if he makes it through "Fed" knows he's not lucky in Grand Slam finals against Djokovic or Nadal. The odds aren't with the Swiss for a victory in Melbourne.

Novak Djokovic would probably be happy to read our views on Federer at the Australian Open, but we have as much for him...the Serb has had an amazing year in 2011, and he is the first one to know it is going to be extremely difficult to redo the same season. That is why we believe that the bad series is going to start in Melbourne for "Nole."

The world No. 1 is coming to Australian with a lot of pressure, and has many points to lose. It's certainly going to be hard to do better than last year, where he lifted the Australian bowl. It will be very difficult to do the same this year.

So if not Federer nor Djokovic, Nadal is probably in the best position to renew his success.