The 2012 Aussie Open Men's Final: Nadal's Redemption or Is He Still Psyched Out?

Unusually, the Men's Final here could quickly turn into mismatch.

To be more precise, Novak Djokovic could defeat Rafael Nadal sooner rather than later.

“Djoko” versus “Rafa” will only be a tennis jewel if Nadal isn't still a head case.

And who is to say Nadal isn't yet daunted, disconcerted, and discouraged in playing against Djokovic?

To wit: In 2011, Novak Djokovic beat up on Rafael Nadal something fierce.

In the six finals they met in last year, Djokovic won them all. Convincingly. It wasn't even close.

Further, as a consequence of the six shellackings, Djokovic pretty much turned Nadal into a “No Mas” Roberto Duran-type figure.

To explain: During those trying times for him last year, Nadal invariably at press conferences following these defeats would acknowledge in refrain “I can't beat him [Djokovic].” It was the truth.

Nevertheless, for a 10-time Grand Slam champion such as Rafael Nadal —who some think is the greatest player of all time—to confess as he did his powerlessness, that was the height of humility. Indeed a very strange brew for him to drink.

Has Rafael Nadal gotten over the tough losses versus Djokovic that he had to swallow? Maybe. And that's all that can be surmised.

In one sense, good fortune has come to Nadal at the very first major of 2012. He can change his record versus Djokovic right quick. Life is adventitious that way sometimes.

Nadal does seem better prepared. His victory over Roger Federer in the semifinals was done in grand Nadal style, breaking the will of his opponent, wearying his opponent and then finishing off his confounded opponent.

Against Djokovic, he's going to have to do even more (ask fourth-ranked Andy Murray). Novak is No. 1. It takes a Herculean effort to crack a No. 1 player. Nadal knows, he's been there, at that plateau. Does Nadal have it in him? Is the old Rafa really back? This remains to be seen.

Nadal is affirming his readiness. After the Federer match he attested: “I don’t play my best tennis because it’s Roger in front, I play my best tennis because I am ready to play my best tennis.” 

That's all fine and dandy and a physical necessity for Nadal. However, the big question is still extant: Is Nadal psyched out by Djokovic? If he gets down early, will he lose all confidence?

Djokovic thinks so, and he doesn't mince words about his “advantage” over Nadal: “I know that I maybe have a mental edge because I've won six finals...We played in 2011, and I've had lots of success against him.” 

If you're Rafael Nadal right now, you're in your own homemade bunker, you're meditating, you're seeing your guru if you have one, you're doing some Medieval-type, anti-Djokovic ritualistic chanting.

Whatever it takes for you to have a clear head during the 2012 Australian Open final.

That's the only thing that matters.