Rafael Nadal: Serena (Williams) Slam Relived at the Australian Open?

Rafael Nadal: A living legend.  A court magician.  A modest human being.  A talented professional.  A Serena Williams relived?

Turquoise waters glistening in the sun.  A white beach acting as a blockade to the water.  And further, inland, finally, a stadium.  Melbourne.

It has been quite a summer for Rafael Nadal.  In fact, he has won 21 consecutive matches at the grand slams.  Dominance?  Is it he who can conquer the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open worthy of the Australian Open crown?  A turquoise gem into the crown—the second one.  Of the rulers of the dirt, of the lords of the grass, of the king of the concrete yonder, will he conquer Australia once more, after being dethroned?

This season has surpassed 2008 as Nadal's best year.  Rafa, propelled by fans cheering him on, has given the summer of 2010 the name, "The Summer of Nadal."  But will 2011, as it is on the horizon, give forth a blooming of confidence to Nadal.  He has struggled on the hard courts of Australia but will he be able to reclaim the trophy that he was stripped of last year?

When the sun first rose to mark the first day of 2010, Nadal woke up, slightly hobbling, but took no notice of it.  Later, at the Australian Open, Nadal was in deep trouble.  

"Second set, Andy Murray."  

"Wake up, Rafa!  C'mon! You can do it!"  

But, no, he couldn't.  Neither could his knees.  It was a disappointment for many a fan at Rod Laver Arena.  Rafael Nadal had retired from the match, because of knee injuries.

This incident sparked flashes of the past.  2009 relived?  At the time, Nadal had won the Australian Open, won almost every match during the clay season, demolished his first three opponents at Roland Garros, and then I'm guessing most of you know the story from there.

Would he ever be the same again?  It was one of the worst years for Nadal, since taking up the No.1 and No. 2 ranking.  Since then, he has proved himself, made himself up from 2009.  This brings shades of the past.  2002 relived?

I say no!  As well as Rafael Nadal might be playing today, it's not about this year, it's about next year.  Don't be surprised if Nadal makes it deep into the draw, but the likes of Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Soderling, and even a dark horse 'Troiki' could defeat Nadal at Melbourne—the site that once was but never to be again.

Serena Williams, on the other hand, the World No.1, but in my opinion, had more confidence at the time.  Nadal still does not have that 'it' factor on the hard surfaces, and he won't be getting it any time soon.  One reason Nadal was able to win the US Open was, you might have guessed it, ON COURT COACHING—no penalty, no fine, but a title.  

All Rafa fans out there, get ready to cry.  Nadal will never be able to have that jewel—that turquoise one—and add it into his golden crown.  He will have the same crown, the same titles, the same him—Rafael Nadal, unchanged.