Nadal vs. Djokovic: 5-Set Thriller Will Catapult Rafa into Dominant 2012 Season

Rafael Nadal's hard-fought defeat at the 2012 Australian Open to top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final was crushing, but encouraging nonetheless.

Nadal and Djokovic went the distance, with five thrilling sets that set the record for longest Grand Slam Final match in the history of the Open era. Djokovic was pumping his fists in victory after an exhilarating five hours and 53 minutes of tennis.

That epic battle will no doubt inspire Rafa as the season wages on however, with still three majors left to be played. 

The 2012 French Open is Nadal's next best shot at redemption from an Aussie Open that ended bitterly at the hands of Djokovic, who has taken the last seven head-to-head matchups between the two, all in tournament finals, including three in Grand Slam finals.

Nadal is a certified tennis beast at the French though, having won six of the past seven tournaments there. He is an incredible 45-1 there for his career, which means he will be the No. 1 contender regardless of ranking this time around as well.

At age 25, Nadal is still the second-best tennis player in the world and will be so for the next few years, including the rest of 2012. After all, Nadal has twice as many major championships as the sport's No. 1-ranked player, and has won at Wimbledon and the US Open a combined three times in his career.

The Spaniard is in his prime even if his latest matches versus Djokovic would suggest otherwise. Rafa's best tennis is not behind him, but all around him. The French Open will be Nadal's next biggest opportunity and stage to prove just that. 

A return to Europe and a return to clay will be just what the ailing superstar needs to serve up a dominant 2012 season.