Rafael Nadal, a retired tennis legend and two-time Australian Open champion, has expressed his preference for Carlos Alcaraz to win the upcoming Australian Open men's final, despite holding 'full respect' for Novak Djokovic. Nadal believes Alcaraz, the world number one, is the clear favorite due to his youth, energy, and prime condition, but also acknowledged Djokovic's resilience and experience, noting he would not be surprised if Djokovic caused an upset. Djokovic, at 38, is vying to become the oldest Australian Open winner and aims to secure his 25th Grand Slam title, surpassing Margaret Court’s record. Meanwhile, Alcaraz, at 22, is seeking to become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam. Nadal, attending the match in Melbourne, highlighted Djokovic’s remarkable ability to manage court time and his ongoing competitiveness despite being past his prime. Nadal also expressed his support for Alcaraz, his former doubles partner, and emphasized his respect for Djokovic’s achievements. Nadal, who retired in 2024, shared that he is now watching tennis more relaxed and is looking forward to enjoying the final as a fan, wishing both players success and acknowledging the historical significance of the match.