Rafael Nadal: Why Australian Open 2012 Will Define Rafa

Rafael Nadal is a giant in the sport that will one day retire amidst great adulation, but he needs to prove some things before that happens. The Australian Open is the perfect place to prove once and for all that he is the most complete tennis player. 

The Australian Open carries a great deal of weight for Nadal despite his inability to dominate this tournament like has all others. 

This Grand Slam has been the lone tough nut that he finds difficult to crack. He has only managed to get to the finals down under once, his lone win at Australia in 2009. 

The Spaniard comes into 2012 having to answer questions surrounding his health. Last year was mired in nagging injuries that he will have to overcome if he is going to bring the magic we have been so accustomed to this year. 

It's not just Australia that gives Nadal worries, the hard court has always been the one blight on an otherwise brilliant game. 

Many would have you buy that Nadal is simply a great clay-courter. Why must we define Nadal as anything more or less? In yet another turn in Australia, Nadal's resiliency will need to be answered as well as his ability to win on the hard court. 

After that, there is nothing less than Novak Djokovic to contend with. After proving his health and that his huge swing can deal with the fast hard court, Nadal will have to contend with Djokovic, a player that he lost to six times in 2011. 

The emerging rivalry is getting quite interesting between Nadal and Djokovic. We are about to see if the Spaniard has yet another level to his game. 

Will this be the begging of the end as Djokovic continues his string of victories, or will Nadal reestablish himself as the best in the sport?

Both questions will serve to define Rafa Nadal, and they will be answered in a few short days at the Australian Open.