Great's gnawing fear for key Nadal weapon

Tennis large Paul McNamee fears that Rafael Nadal has "lost a yard" up of his Australian Open rubric defence successful Melbourne.

McNamee, a 4 clip doubles expansive slam champion and erstwhile Australian Open tourney director, expressed his sentiment successful a file for the Sydney Morning Herald.

Nadal, 36, is 4th favourite with the bookmakers to triumph the 2023 Open, down Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.

Watch the finals of the United Cup, unrecorded and exclusive on 9Now and Stan

The legendary Spaniard is coming disconnected 2 consecutive United Cup losses to Cameron Norrie and Alex De Minaur arsenic questions persist astir his fitness.

"The X-factor is Nadal's body," McNamee wrote.

"There is speculation his abdominal wounded is affecting his shot flip but, for me, much concerning is his ain caller admission: 'I request to get a small faster physically.'

READ MORE: Zampa's azygous 'regret' implicit arguable act

READ MORE: Aussie Test greats rip cricket's 'soft' rule

READ MORE: Kyrgios' manager fires changeable astatine wounded doubters

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a changeable to Fabio Fognini of Italy. (AP)

"Court sum has ever been a large plus of Nadal's but, and this is simply a cruel happening to say, I fearfulness he's mislaid a yard.

"So, arsenic Father Time advances, and to beryllium just astatine 36 helium is lone 1 twelvemonth older than Djokovic, winning the Australian Open volition beryllium a batch much hard for Nadal.

"As defending champion and satellite No.2, helium is surely successful the conversation. However, for Aussies wishing to spot the large Spaniard, I'd suggest bask him portion you can."

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here

How good bash you retrieve the biggest sporting moments of 2022?