Emerson hoping Nadal can stop Djokovic at six titles

Tennis legend Roy Emerson is tipping – as well as hoping – Rafael Nadal will triumph in the Australian Open men's final showdown with Novak Djokovic and accelerate his pursuit of Roger Federer’s record 20 major singles titles.

With Djokovic booking a clash with Nadal after his destruction of Lucas Pouille that more than matched the Spaniard’s demolition of Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals, the world No.1 Serbian has the chance to collect a seventh Australian Open title.

A seventh heaven for Djokovic would break the deadlock between three legends of tennis - Djokovic, Emerson and Roger Federer, all six-time Australian champions.

When asked whether a rejuvenated Nadal was capable of stopping Djokovic in his tracks – thereby preserving Emerson’s grip on the record – the 82-year-old replied with a hearty chuckle: “That is very important. Definitely. I’d like to keep that.

"You know, I don’t have that many records to brag about!"

Emerson said Djokovic, a holder of 14 major titles, would have enough time to win more slams elsewhere.

"If he (Djokovic) keeps himself in shape like Federer, he’s got another two or three years where he’s going to be winning majors.

"I’m trying to get Tennis Australia not to invite them back.

"I’m pulling for Nadal."

Emerson, one of the most dominant male players of his time and the only man to have won all four majors in singles and doubles, was honoured in the Australia Day honours list as one of 19 people appointed Companions of the Order of Australia (AC).

So impressed has Emerson been with Nadal’s relentless performance in Melbourne over the past fortnight in his first tournament since the US Open, he says the Majorcan marvel could replicate a 2017 Federer-like comeback at the Australian Open.

If he does, the Spaniard will also join an elite group, placed alongside Emerson and Rod Laver as the only men to have won all four majors at least twice each.

“He deserves to be there, oh yeah,” Emerson said.

A second triumph in Melbourne after his solitary Australian Open title a decade ago, to go with his unthinkable 11 wins in Paris, two at Wimbledon and three in New York would give Nadal 18 majors in all, just two shy of Federer.

No wonder why Emerson, who held the men’s record of 12 grand slam singles titles for 33 years until Pete Sampras passed the Queenslander in 2001, believes it’s game back on between Nadal and Federer.

“Winning the French 11 times, it is ridiculous,” Emerson said.

“No one’s going to beat him at the French again, or Monte Carlo. He owns those [clay court] tournaments so he’s going to win the French again.”

If Emerson is correct, that would leave Nadal heading to the Wimbledon grass courts with the chance to catch Federer two months after turning 33.

Emerson remains in awe of Federer’s achievements at 37, even though the Swiss maestro was upset by Tsitsipas, one of the best prospects in the game aged under 21, in four sets in the fourth round.

“Obviously at 37 he’s slowing down a little bit. But he’s still difficult to handle on the tennis court,” Emerson said.

“He didn’t have a great day the other day [when he lost to Tsitsipas in the round of 16] and didn’t serve as well … when Roger serves really well his other game picks up.

“He said he would play two or three more years. I don’t think he wants to play if he’s not doing well.”

With AAP