Novak Djokovic has insisted that Rafael Nadal is "one of the top favourites" for the Australian Open despite his recent fitness troubles.
The Spaniard has been plagued by injuries over the past 18 months and is working his way back from appendix surgery at the back end of 2014.
Prior to steamrollering Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-2 6-2 in the first round on Monday, the 14-time Grand Slam champion claimed that he did not feel ready to win in Melbourne. However, Djokovic expects Nadal to be one of the usual suspects competing for the trophy.
"I don't know what his intentions are, how he feels," the Serbian told reporters. "But he is definitely always one of the top favorites in every tournament that he plays. There is no question about it.
"We always talk prior to the big tournaments, during the first days of the Grand Slams, about who the potential players are for winning the trophy. You know, more or less the same names have been going around for the last seven or eight years.
"So I don't think there is any difference in terms of main favorites for this tournament even this year in the Australian Open. There are a few other players that are able to challenge the best."
World number one Djokovic beat Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene 6-3 6-2 6-4 in his first-round match this morning.
Joe Fish
