Wilander believes Nadal can get in Djokovic's head or lose early at Australian Open: "Rafa could probably lose against 15 or 20 players"

Rafael Nadal could get into Novak Djokovic's head if he plays well at the Australian Open but he also believes that Nadal could lose early in the event.

It won't be easy for Nadal as he drew Jack Draper in the first round. The British player has decent weapons and plays well on hard courts. It would not be crazy to think that the Brit could beat Nadal in the first round. However, Wilander also thinks Nadal could make Djokovic nervous if he keeps playing well and winning matches:

"I would put Novak as the favourite over the rest of the field. Maybe the only one who has a chance to do something against him is Rafa. Of course, Matteo Berrettini can hit 50 aces in one match and nobody would stop him, or Zverev. But if it’s a normal day, Novak in that court after what happened… Rafa could maybe get into his head, but also Rafa could probably lose against 15 or 20 players."

Read also

Veronika Kudermetova stages unlikely comeback against Collins by saving 4 match points

Wilander added:

"The only thing I see as a pressure that Novak might deal with, is that the Grand Slam race is back on. And maybe he could feel ‘I have to win the Australian Open, because if I don’t, Rafa might. And then is the French Open where Rafa is the favorite. In the middle of 2022, I felt the race was dead. Now (it) is back on a little bit."

Read also

Wawrinka argues fans should be given freedom to express themselves amid Djokovic boo ban: "That's tennis, that's sport"